Koforidua, March 15, GNA - Hundreds of Christian faithful from various denominations on Sunday gathered at the Jackson's park in Koforidua to mark the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service. Among the large crowd was Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Regional Minister, District Chief Executives, Service Commanders, Heads of Government Departments, agencies and the clergy.

Addressing the service, the Regional Minister said there was the need for mutual respect for one another, irrespective of status and the exhibition of a high sense of patriotism to develop the country. He mentioned the 'pull him down' attitude among Ghanaians, describing it as a canker that had eaten into the fibre of Ghanaian society, adding that it must pave way for support and encouragement to people doing well in responsible positions entrusted to them.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo observed that God in his wisdom had blessed Ghana in many ways as compared to other African countries and that it must spur on the trust and reliance on God with commitment, hard work and diligence in all sectors of the national endeavour.

He urged all to continue to pray that the oil find would be an extension of the blessings rather than a curse to Ghana and gave the assurance that the Atta-Mills led government would ensure that proceeds from the oil was used for the benefit of the entire nation. The Reverend Frederick Nnuro, Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, who preached the sermon said although there was some economic difficulties, Ghanaians should be mindful of the fact that they had never been refugees in other countries, nor plagued with hunger that had necessitated the need for international aid.

For this and many other reasons, the Bishop called on Ghanaians to be thankful, faithful and loyal to God in all ways for continuous blessings, peace and tranquility in the country.

He said the declaring of a national day of thanksgiving was in every sense a real acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God and thanked President Mills for that single act which, he said, would go a long way in shaping the destiny of the nation.

The Rev Peter Yiadom-Boakye, chairman of the Koforidua Local Council of Churches, and The Reverend Ofori-Amankwah, Regional Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, led the service in prayers of thanksgiving to God for His mercies and blessings bestowed on the nation over the years.