The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has used the occasion of Ghana’s National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving to call for renewed responsibility and stricter enforcement of planning regulations, warning that recent flooding incidents across parts of the country underscore the urgency of rebuilding national values.
Addressing dignitaries, religious leaders, traditional authorities and residents at the regional observance held in ICGC Jesus Temple Auditoriuom in Koforidua on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the Regional Minister said the recent floods in Accra and other affected communities should serve as a wake-up call for collective action.
“Our hearts go out to every family who has lost loved ones, homes, properties and livelihoods,” she stated, adding that prayer alone must be accompanied by deliberate measures to prevent future disasters.
Hon.Rita Awatey stressed that safeguarding lives and property requires stronger commitment from District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies, to enforce land-use regulations and uphold their responsibilities as development authorities.
She cautioned against compromising on planning laws and urged authorities to take proactive action to prevent avoidable disasters, noting that early intervention remains critical in addressing emerging threats.
The Minister made the remarks during the second edition of Ghana’s National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, instituted by President John Dramani Mahama under the theme, “Resetting Our Values to Build the Ghana We Want.”
According to her, the national reset agenda extends beyond economic recovery and infrastructure development to restoring discipline, integrity and accountability in society.
She further called on religious leaders, traditional authorities, the youth and the business community to promote honesty, patriotism and responsible citizenship as Ghana works towards national renewal.
Hon. Rita Awatey reiterated that development efforts must be driven by shared responsibility and urged citizens to place national interest above political, tribal and personal considerations.
Meanwhile, the Koforidua Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Mike Kwame Etrue, has called on Ghanaians to embrace integrity as a national value capable of restoring trust, strengthening institutions and rebuilding the country.
Delivering a sermon at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving Apostle Etrue said Ghana’s progress would not be determined solely by economic resources or political systems but by the values citizens choose to uphold.
Drawing lessons from the biblical account of Nehemiah, he stressed that national transformation begins when citizens accept responsibility for the state of the nation and commit to becoming part of the solution.
According to him, one of the most urgent values that requires resetting in Ghana is integrity, which he described as the willingness to do what is right even when no one is watching.
In attendance were Muslim leadership, clergy, heads of department, students and various groups and organization.
Both Muslim and christian Prayers were offered for leaders of the country for divine wisdom and guidance.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
