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Let’s not sow seeds of division …Pres Mahama cautions on maiden National Day of Thanksgiving
![President John Mahama [left] with First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama and Mr Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/President-Mahama-left-with-First-Lady-Mrs-Lordina-Mahama-and-Mr-Alban-Bagbin-Speaker-of-Parliament.jpg)
Ghana’s maiden National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving service was held on Tuesday at the State House in Accra.
It was attended by President John Mahama, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, First Lady Lordina Mahama, Ministers of State and Members of Parliament (MPs).
Also in attendance were men and women of God, traditional leaders including the Ga mantse, Nii Teiko Tsuru II, Muslim chiefs and officers from some of the security agencies.
The event themed “Reset, Reflect and Renew for National Prosperity” was to unite Ghanaians of all faiths and express gratitude to God for the nation’s abundant blessings.
The sermon was preached by His Eminence Cardinal Appiah Turkson.
That was preceded by prayer sessions led by various pastors amidst praise and worship sessions by seasoned gospel musicians in the country.
The Islamic Prayers and Thanksgiving Service was led by Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam at the Ghana National Mosque at Kanda, Accra.
President Mahama in his address called for togetherness and mutual respect as the nation seeks healing and transformation.
“Let us remain vigilant against the voices of tribalism, the voices of religious extremism and against the poison of political division. These are the seeds of division that we must never let take root in our precious nation, Ghana,” he declared
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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Gov’t to build new public technical university in Western Region – Pres. Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his government will build a new public technical university in the Western Region to expand access to technical and vocational education for young people.
In a speech at the Jubilee House during a courtesy call by the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and other members of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, President Mahama said the new university forms part of a broader plan to prepare the region’s youth for emerging job opportunities in mining, oil and gas, agribusiness, and digital industries.
He explained that the technical university will be designed to meet the practical needs of industries in the region and across the country.
According to him, this move is crucial to Ghana’s long-term development goals, especially as the Western Region continues to contribute significantly to the national economy through natural resources.
“The Western Region holds immense potential to lead Ghana into a new era of industrialization and job creation. But we must equip our young people with the right skills. That is why we are building a new public technical university here” the President intimated.
He added that this new institution will work alongside other youth-focused programs, including a region-wide employment initiative focused on agri-tech, tourism, green jobs, and digital entrepreneurship.
President Mahama revealed plans to upgrade the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital into a modern teaching hospital that will serve as a referral center for the Western and Western North regions.
This, he said, would improve healthcare delivery and provide training grounds for medical students.
He assured the chiefs that these initiatives would help bridge development gaps and ensure that the youth in the region have better access to education, training, and jobs.
The President urged the chiefs to support these efforts by promoting peace, unity, and development in their communities.
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Oil-producing communities in Western Region to benefit from sea defense and social projects – Prez Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has assured that coastal communities in the Western Region affected by oil and gas activities will see direct improvements in infrastructure, sea defense, and social services under his next development agenda.
The president made it clear that the discovery of petroleum in the region must be a blessing and not a burden.
He stated that towns like Essiama and Anochie, located in the oil-producing enclaves, would benefit from better roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, and agribusiness support as part of the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
He explained that the government is expanding sea defense projects along the coast to protect fishing communities from tidal wave erosion.
These efforts, he noted are also aimed at preserving marine livelihoods and supporting the coastal economy.
President Mahama revealed that the government will establish a dedicated oil and gas services hub at the Takoradi Port through a public-private partnership.
He said the expansion of the port would include new container terminals and dry bulk facilities to boost exports and reduce delays for vessels.
He added that the (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204) would be strengthened to ensure young people in the Western Region gain access to petroleum jobs, contracts, and technical training.
The president also announced that the Ministry of Energy had been directed to renegotiate land arrangements with landowners around the planned petroleum hub.
He said the government will release unused portions of land back to communities and pay compensation for land that will be used, starting with 5,000 hectares instead of the initially acquired 20,000 hectares.
He stressed that oil wealth must translate into better living conditions for the people whose lands and livelihoods are affected by exploration and production activities.
Jacob Aggrey
