Tamale, March 12, GNA - Mr Sam Nasamu Asibigi, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister on Friday joined Muslim congregants at the Tamale Central Mosque, in worship as part of this Year's National Prayer, Fasting and Thanksgiving Week.

It formed part of the celebration of the nation's 54th Independence Day.

He led the congregants to pray for the President, Vice President, Ministers of state and Deputy Ministers, Municipal and District Chief Executives.

Special prayers were also said for the national security, families, legislature, judiciary, district and metropolitan assemblies, the media, youth, educational institutions and many others to ask the favour of Allah on the nation.

Mr Asibigi said Allah had been kind and faithful to the country in the past years, adding that, 93We owe it as a duty to at least show appreciation for what He has done. As a country, we continue to enjoy peace in all sectors despite our differences". He advised the congregants that their utterances and actions should be in line with Islam, which exalts peace and righteousness at all times.

As followers of Islam, the Deputy Minister said, Muslims should consider it as their individual responsibility to pray for peace at all times and ensure that peace prevailed in their communities and the nation.

He said the Government, led by President John Evans Atta Mills, would continue to pursue programmes and policies that would strengthen good governance and facilitate the achievement of better Ghana Agenda in the area of socio-economic development and the reduction of poverty and diseases.

The week long programme which is being organized in consultation with President John Evans Atta Mills, has also been declared National Development Week and being observed by adherents of Traditional, Christian and Muslim religions. The climax of the celebration would be held at the Independence Square in Accra and at designated places in all regional and district capitals.