The National Prayers and Thanks giving Day was solemnly observed across the 16 regions yesterday, an initiative lead by President John Dramani Mahama.SAMUEL AGBEWODE reports from the Volta Regional capital Ho, that the National Day of prayers and thanksgiving was observed at the jubilee park, where prayers were said for peace at Nkwanta in the Oti Region, peace for Ghana, prayers for wisdom and guidance for the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama and the Vice.Prayers were also said for minis­ters of state, Parliamentarians, Met­ropolitan.

Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and the citizens.•Students and the public praying at the programmeDr Festus Yeboah Asuamah (left) and other religious leaders at the eventThere was worship and praises to thank God for protecting the country over the years, and asked for His guidance and further pro­tection for the years aheadPreaching the sermon, the Director of Ecumenical and Social Relations of the Evangeli­cal Presbyterian (EP) Church, the Reverend Emmanuel Elijah Atsu, observed that all over the world, there were wars but God continued to grant Ghana peace, therefore it was apt to set a day in a year to thank God.Reversed Atsu said it was im­portant that Ghanaians reflect on their relationship with God and mend their ways for God to con­tinue to bless the country.He stressed the need for Gha­naians to change their attitude towards the development of the country, stressing the importance for leaders to avoid corrupt prac­tices including lateness to work, greed and selfishness, which he said were enemies of growth.Reverend Atsu said prayers with­out action was not enough, and called for love, unity and the will­ingness of Ghanaians to change their attitude towards work as vital tool for national development.The Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, said Ghanaians should not take the peace enjoyed over the years for granted, saying peace and security were the foun­dations of national growth.Mr Gunu therefore, asked stakeholders to support govern­ment's programmes and policies to bring the development needs and aspirations to the people.From Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, DANIEL DZIRASAH reports that the National Day of the prayer took place at the jubilee park and attended by cross section of general public including school children drawn from the senior high schools, members of security services, traditional leaders, clergy and the Regional Coordinating Council.Dr Festus Yeboah Asuamah, theAnglican Bishop of Sunyani, preaching the sermon called on Ghanaians to be hardworking and show respect to authority so as to attract God's blessings for the na­tion.

This he noted was surest way God can lift us from the current economic challenges we face as a nation.According to him God has spared Ghana from all sorts of difficulties such as wars, natural disasters among others and em­phasised the need to be thankful and grateful "There are moments of drought and hardship but God delivered us from all, Dr Festus Yeboah Asuamah, quoted 2nd Chronicle 7:13:14 to buttress his claim.The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae- Akwaboa, in his welcome address urged the people to eshew tendencies such as division, rancour and unite with a common purpose and vision to fast-track the development agenda of the country.There was intercessory prayers by the clergy on behalf of the gov­ernment, families, youth and those in authority.At the time of filing this report Muslims prayers were underway at the Sunyani Central mosque in Sunyani. BY TIMES REPORTER