The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, was among some respected Christian leaders invited to the Jubilee House, the seat of government, on Thursday, March 19, 2020, to offer special prayers for Ghana in the wake of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.
The prayer breakfast meeting which was held at the instance of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, saw other heads of churches in attendance. They include Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah (immediate past Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and former President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council), Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso (General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council), Right Reverend Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah (Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana), and Rt. Rev. Paul Kwabena Boafo (Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana).
Others were Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams of the Action Chapel International, Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah (Apostle General of the Royalhouse Chapel International), Bishop Dag Heward-Mills (Presiding Bishop of the Lighthouse Group Of Churches), Bishop Charles Agyinasare of the Perez Chapel International and Rev Eastwood Anaba of the Fountain Gate Chapel, among others.
The clergy prayed for Ghana, the medical personnel fighting the deadly disease, the President and the government and divine intervention against the spread of the disease.
In an address, President Akufo-Addo admonished Ghanaians to seek the face of God, in the wake of the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country, whilst observing, at the same time, the enhanced measures announced by government in dealing with the menace.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his belief that Ghanaians, with their abiding faith in God, will overcome the Coronavirus pandemic, adding that “this, too, will pass.”
According to the President, the Government has instituted a number of measures to help ensure that the nation is adequately prepared to combat the spread of the pandemic.
These measures included the suspension of all public gatherings, such as funerals, festivals, political rallies, sporting events and religious activities, and the closing down of all Universities, Senior High Schools, and basic schools.
“Prior to announcing this decision, I informed many of you around this table, and I was encouraged by the words of support offered. The aftermath of the announcement also saw a positive, overwhelming acceptance of the measures from all and sundry, including those I could not inform because of the exigencies of time. With the exception of that one incident, yesterday, in North Suntreso, in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, these measures have been adhered to,” he said.
The President continued, “So, on behalf of Government and the people of Ghana, I want to put on record my deep appreciation to you and the entire Christian community across the country for this gesture of solidarity. I am hopeful that the State and the Church will continually find ways to collaborate for the good of Mother Ghana and for the improved welfare of the citizenry.”
He added: “As a Christian, a devout one at that, I know of the healing power and saving Grace of the Maker of Heaven and Earth, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, because in Him we live, move and have our being.”
Quoting the Words of Holy Scripture to buttress his statement, in Proverbs 9:10, which says “those who know Your name trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You”, the President, again, quoted from II Chronicles 7:14, which says “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Reiterating his conviction that ‘these are not ordinary times’, he noted that “in such times, a country whose population is predominantly Christian, must seek the face of the One True God for healing and restoration. So, I, humbly, called you to this prayer meeting for us to join together and pray to Almighty God to protect our nation, heal this land and save us from this pandemic.”
Pentecost News.