The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has expressed optimism that the nation will see light at the end of the tunnel and that victory is guaranteed.
According to the President, despite the struggle the people face, the same should not define their worth, adding that 2024 should be faced with a renewed sense of purpose.
President Akufo-Addo was speaking on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Jubilee House, during the 2024 presidential New Year Eucharistic Service, supervised by the Internal Province of Ghana, Anglican Church.
The President observed that the past years had been fraught with challenges, testing the resolve of the nation, but with divine intervention the challenges are being addressed.
The President’s statement comes at a time when the nation has been hit by an economic crisis, throwing all plans and projections out of gear since 2020, but the government remains positive of a turnaround.
“Let us begin the new year with a renewed sense of purpose and with stronger commitment to the ideas that unite us as a free nation. As God’s children, we may be tempted to allow struggles to define our worth. However, our ultimate victory is guaranteed.
“We may stumble along the way, but we will always, as Romans Chapter 8:37 says, be more than conquerors,” he said.
He had earlier quoted Psalm 46:1 which touts God as a refuge, strength, and ever-present help in trouble.
President Akufo-Addo, addressing the Anglican Clergy, as usual, urged them to intercede on behalf of Ghana without ceasing.
He said “Let me, in conclusion, plead strongly with the nation to bear the nation continually up in prayers, for the battle is the Lord’s.”
SACRED SPACE
The spirit-filled service yesterday was the third since 2022, which the President described as a “wonderful and exciting experience.”
Commending the Anglican Church of Ghana for the Communion Service, President Akufo-Addo remarked that the service had evolved into a sacred space where they assemble in prayer and reflection to seek divine guidance as they navigate the complexity of governance.
He recounted that nine of such Communion Services have been held for him since becoming president, and he expects four more by January 7, 2025 when he will leave office.
SUPPORT
The President gave his support to his church, the Anglican Church of Ghana, for the strategic initiatives embarked upon, including efforts at securing the Anglican University Charter and establishing an insurance brokerage company, and fulfilled his promise of providing initial financial security of GH₡500,000.00.
HOMILY
The Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa, Most Reverend Dr. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, presented the homily.
He said the reflection for the service was God’s mandate to humanity, as recorded in Genesis, for human beings to be fruitful and multiply.
He explained that fruitfulness is a symbol of life, a symbol of spiritual health, a symbol of God’s blessings, and it also refers to a life of fullness and purpose.
According to him, one principle for a fruitful 2024 is to be faithful, adding that Ghana must remain faithful to God.
“God’s faithfulness to this nation, Ghana, is beyond comprehension. It is because of his faithfulness that we are not consumed. Against all odds and projections, this year, as God promises us, will be a year of multiplicity and abundance. So, God calls each of us to be faithful. To be truthful, to be honest, and to be disciplined,” he preached.
THE SERVICE
The 2024 presidential New Year Eucharistic Service was attended by the nuclear family of the President.
The Chief of Staff, Akosua Fremah Osei-Opare and the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng were also present.
