Parliament Observes Day of Fasting and Prayers

Parliament of Ghana has observed the national day of Prayer and Fasting against the invasion of the deadly Coronavirus globally and the increasing confirmation of cases in the country.

The prayers offered by Parliament called on God to send His angels to protect the nation and the world from this COVID-19 plague which has engulfed the world and causing a lot of havoc to economies, businesses and health sectors of countries.

This is according to the directive by President Akufo-Addo, that March 25, 2020 be observed as a National Day of Prayer and Fasting following the outbreak of the disease and the rapid spread in the country after the first two cases were confirmed some 12 days ago.

Currently, official reports indicates that as at March, 25, 2020 confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 68.

The sittings of the House was interrupted some minutes past midday to give reverence to God and to seek His face in these trying times.

The Speaker, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye called the attention of the Members of Parliament in the Chamber to the clarion call by the President to join him to observe prayers on the Floor of the House from both the Christian faith and the Islamic faith.

The prayers were preceded by a statement made on the Floor by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, who called on God for forgiveness of the sins of the nation in their various forms.

“His statement was followed by a word of exhortation by Deputy Clerk to Parliament at the Table office, Ebenezer Ahuma Djietror, who emphasized the extraordinariness of the times and how the whole nation has turned unto God for salvation and protection.

“Prayers were now offered on different topics by chosen Members of the House on behalf of all the Members and the nation as a whole. The prayers where in two parts. The first five were from Members of the Christian faith and followed by another five from the Islamic faith.

The First Christian prayer was by the Majority Leader, Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, followed by MP for Mpraeso, Seth Acheapong; MP for Krachi West, Helen Adjoa Ntoso; MP for Elembele, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Boah; and the Acting Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Nsiah, who prayed on different topics of national and international interest.

The MP for Tamale Central, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini said the first Islamic prayer in the House followed by the MP for Offinso South, Ben Abdallah Banda; the MP for Savelugu, Muhammed Abdul-Samed Gunu; the MP for Madina, Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface; and the Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu rounded it all up.

Speaker Mike Oquaye who is himself a Reverend Minister ended it all with a closing prayer with a call on God to grant wisdom and guidance to the leadership of the nation to be receptive to Godly counsel in these trying times to make such interventions that will end the spread of the disease in the country.

Source: Clement Akoloh || africanewsradio.com