Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given thanks to God for coming to the presidency in peace and also leaving office on January 7, 2025 in peace after eight years in charge as the head of state.
According to him, he left office very fulfilled after helping to further deepen democracy in Ghana, which he so cherishes, and the fact that he came to office in “peace and left in peace.”
Addressing the Accra Ridge Church congregation during a thanksgiving mass held in his honour on Saturday, former President Akufo-Addo said in spite of the various commentary about his two-term presidency, he knew deep within his heart that he did his very best for the nation when he was in office.
“I leave office with two great satisfactions. One is that the democratic values to whose sustenance I have devoted my life now appear to have taken deep roots in the body politic of our country, and I say Amen to that. The second is that I came in peace, and I have left in peace.
“My fellow Ghanaians, it has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life to have been elected twice to serve you as the President of the Republic. No matter the controversies that are inevitable in the assessment of that service, one thing I know from the bottom of my heart is that I did my very best,” Former president Akufo-Addo added.
Verdict of history
The former president indicated that “the records of his two governments in the areas of educational reform, healthcare delivery, industrial development, agricultural expansion, infrastructural development, digital transformation, and environmental protection are all now matters of history and he is content to await and abide by the verdict of history on their benefits.”
Other sectors he mentioned as areas, where his administration focused on, were “national security in the face of the terrorist menace in the Sahelian Region, the revival of the economy, the unleashing of Ghana’s tourism potential, the enhancement of Ghana’s global image, the contribution to the integration of ECOWAS and Africa, and the engagement of the global African community.”
Biggest challenge
According to former President Akufo-Addo, “the greatest single challenge” that confronted the country during his tenure was “undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021,” which he said was “an unforeseen, unprecedented, and unknown virus that crippled the entire globe.”
“It proved to be a herculean task, and I am glad that with the help of the Almighty and the resilience of the Ghanaian people, we were able to overcome it, indeed, providing leadership that was globally acknowledged at the time,” Akufo-Addo noted.
Faithful God
In his homily (sermon) Rt. Rev Dr Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, the Anglican Bishop of Accra, said God has been good to the former President and has sustained him throughout his 8-year tenure in office as President of the Republic.
“Despite traveling in vehicles and racing at top speed, he has not been in an accident. Despite all the challenges that can come with working in such a high-profile and stressful office, we have never heard that he has been admitted to the hospital,” Bishop Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto proclaimed
“This is a testament to the scripture in Lamentations 3:22, which says because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed. For his comparison never fails; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. God has been good to his excellency and to his family,” Bishop Mensah Torto further proclaimed.
Citation
The Anglican Church in Ghana presented a citation to President Akufo-Addo. T
he citation acknowledged the achievements of President Akufo-Addo in the areas of Education through the implementation of the Free SHS policy, economic development, industrialization, commitment to democratic principles, and support to the Anglican Church in Ghana.
“As you celebrate the remarkable legacy of your tenure, we the Anglican Church of Ghana express our heartfelt gratitude for your steadfast commitment to God, Ghana, and humanity and we pray for divine blessings, guidance, and peace in all your endeavours,” the citation of the Church to former President Akufo-Addo read in part.
Scripture reading & attendees
At the Thanksgiving Mass, the former First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, read the first scripture reading, taken from Lamentation 3:22 – 27, and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo read the second reading, taken from 1 Thessalonians 5: 12 – 24.
The Mass was attended by former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife, former Second Lady Mrs. Samira Bawumia, as well as former cabinet ministers, ministers of state, New Patriotic Party (NPP) party leadership and appointees who served in various positions during the Akufo-Addo presidency.
