The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has prayed for humility and wisdom for himself and members of his government to effectively deliver on their mandate to deliver the social good to the people of Ghana.

The President yesterday joined thousands of New Patriotic Party (NPP) faithful at a National Thanksgiving Service to commemorate the first anniversary of winning power in the 2016 election.

The President said it was to meet and thank the almighty God for preserving the peace of the country and winning the battle for Ghana.

He called on Ghanaians to offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for preserving the peace, unity and freedom of the nation during last year’s elections. “It is not by our action but by the power of the almighty God,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo said it was pertinent that the nation recognised God’s abundant blessings and mercies that resulted in the party’s victory, saying; "He has given us the opportunity to serve the people of Ghana, and for that we have to give Him thanks and glory.

"So on this day it is appropriate that we renew our prayers for our nation...let the Almighty continue to preserve the peace, the unity and the freedom of Ghana."

President Akufo-Addo prayed that God endows those serving in his government with the spirit of humility and service "so that they can address the needs of the people of Ghana for progress and prosperity."

He called on God to imbue in him the right spirit to govern and put Ghana back on the path of growth and development.

"And me, who was selected to lead the team, I continue to seek that He gives me wisdom, that He gives me strength, that He gives me compassion and humility, so that I can be a good leader for His Ghanaian flock," he prayed.

"We entered the electoral struggle with one statement; we said ‘the battle is the Lord's’. The battle is still the Lord's as we try to build our dear nation," the President said. He used the occasion to pray for the souls of fallen patriots of the party, with a particular mention of Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, who worked tirelessly for the party but did live to see the victory.

Drawing inspiration from the psalmist, Reverend Anthony Kwadwo Boakye of the Resurrection Power New Generation Church led the elephant family in a moment of worship for the goodness of the Lord in safeguarding the peace of the country during and after the 2016 general election, and committed the rest of the years into the hands of the Lord.

Most Reverend Asante-Antwi led the gathering in special prayers for the President, the Vice-President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, and the entire leadership of the country.

In his words of exhortation, the Most Reverend emphasized that the God who chooses kings for nations was the one who intervened in the affairs of the country by choosing President Nana Addo for Ghana.

According to him, the election of Nana Addo as President was ordained by God. “It is God who chose him, and we thank God for his choice”.

He led the congregation to pray for God’s guidance for the President and his team to be able to implement all the pro-poor policies and interventions already initiated by the government.

The gathering said special prayers for the Speaker of Parliament, for divine inspiration to guide him in the effective discharge of his duties. “Let them know they were also chosen by God that they would take decision and make laws that will benefit this nation.”

They also prayed for the Chief Justice and lawyers in the country to deliver on their mandate without fear or favour.

Prayers were also said for other arms of government and sector ministers, for them to keep the President’s vision, as well as discipline themselves to excel in their respective duties for the development of the country.

The first Bible reading was taken from Psalm 34:1-6 and read by Dr Margaret Amoakohene The second reading was taken from the gospel according to St Luke 17:11-19, and read by Rev. Ntim Fordjour.

In his sermon, Rev Kusi Boateng, General Overseer, Power Chapel Worldwide, said although the NPP was disadvantaged on all fronts in the run-up to the elections, the Lord led their affairs into victory, thus it was befitting that the party return to God with a heart of gratitude

He recounted the Biblical story of the 10 lepers who were healed but only five returned to show appreciation for the healing, adding that appreciating God‘s goodness is an exhibition of faith, and thus encouraged the gathering never to eschew the virtue of thanksgiving in all their endeavours.

He asked for the wholeness of the Lord to affect every facet of the Ghanaian economy.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and their spouses, party chieftains, senior government officials, the top brass of the security services, members of the judiciary, the clergy, diplomats, as well as traditional rulers, attended the service.

The service was interspersed with poignant and evocative Christian praise and worship songs that set the crowd, including the very important personalities, singing their hearts out amidst dancing.

The highlight, however, was when President Akufo-Addo took to the stage and gave his signature dance steps to his best tune, "Asem papa bi na ma ti, oye, oye", rendered by the Winneba Youth Choir.