President Akufo-Addo and his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo in a pose with the leadership of the Accra Archdiocese of the Catholic Church
President Akufo-Addo is confident that policies and programmes being implemented by his administration will help put Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity.
Speaking at the climax of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra on Sunday, 25th November, 2018, at the Black Star Square, President Akufo-Addo indicated that government’s sacred duty is to help build in Ghana a society founded on the values of equity and fairness, and an economy that will bring progress and prosperity to the people and lift them out of poverty.
“We can only do so through hard work, animated by a sense of enterprise, creativity and innovation, and with a determination to fight corruption in our public life. That is the path that will lead us to the national transformation we desire and that is the path my government has been treading over the last 22 months,” the President said.
He continued, “I took, then, a solemn oath, at this same venue, to serve our nation and to improve the living standards of the Ghanaian people. I shall, with God’s guidance, continue to do my best to live up to my oath of office.
Towards the achievement of this goal, the President called for the support of the Church and indeed of the entire Christian community, as well as of all religious people and of all those who believe in the Omnipotent God.
Quoting from Holy Scripture in Philippians 4:13, the President stated that “through Christ who strengthens me and my government, all the programmes and policies being rolled out, which were once described as overly-ambitious and not feasible by some-whether it’s of Free SHS, “Planting for Food and Jobs”, “One District, One Factory”, “One Village, One Dam,” and the development of our rail and road infrastructure, amongst others- will be implemented to the benefit to the Ghanaian people.”
The execution of policies, he added, would help lead Ghana onto the path of progress and prosperity, adding that “through Christ who strengthens us, the National Cathedral will be built to the glory and honour of God. Amen!!”
As the Accra Archdiocese celebrates its 125th anniversary, President Akufo-Addo urged members of the Church to remember always the last earthly directive of Jesus Christ, which is to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
President Akufo-Addo also used the occasion to thank His Holiness, Pope Francis, for the message of congratulations he delivered to him through the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Jean-Marie Speich, in February 2017, upon his assumption of office.
“It did not end there. On the occasion of Ghana’s 60th Independence Day anniversary, Pope Francis sent his envoy, His Eminence Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, to witness the celebration. It was the first time in 40 years that a delegation from the Holy See had been sent to witness Ghana’s Independence Day Celebration.
“The Ghanaian people are grateful for these gracious gestures from the Pope. They are truly appreciated,” the President added.
He also expressed the appreciation of the Ghanaian people to the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, and indeed the Catholic Church of Ghana, for the many years of service and dedication to Accra and Mother Ghana.
“The Church survived the yellow fever epidemic of the late 19th Century that killed some of its first missionaries, rebuilt its structures after the earthquake of 1939, and has grown to become one of the most important institutions in Ghana, a country which is deeply religious,” President Akufo-Addo added.
He continued, “Indeed, the Catholic Church has built many of the institutions of our country, and is on record to be the one single institution, outside of government, that has built so many healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics in Ghana. We treasure very much this partnership between the State and Church, and I pray for God’s continuing blessings on this Church.”