SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING HELD AT THE LAKESIDE PENTECOST CHURCH, DAMBAI ON 1ST JULY, 2025 – Oti Regional Coordinating Council
SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING HELD AT THE LAKESIDE PENTECOST CHURCH, DAMBAI ON 1ST JULY, 2025
On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the Oti Region observed a spiritually significant event — the maiden National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving — hosted at the Lakeside Pentecost Church, Dambai. The solemn and uplifting occasion drew participants from all walks of life including traditional authorities, religious leaders, municipal and district executives, civil society representatives, and the general public.
The Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive in his opening remarks told the participant God has blessed Ghana the most due to the military interventions ongoing in our three neighbor countries while Ghana still enjoy democracy.Read More
He ended his remarks that if not God’s blessing on Ghana, the multiplicity of Ghanaian religious practice, different believes and faith would have truncated the peace in Ghana. Hence his excellency the president of the republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama’s declaration of Tuesday July 1, 2025 as “Prayer and Thanksgiving Day”.
The highlight of the event was a keynote address delivered by the Honorable Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, who used the platform to inspire unity, peace, and spiritual reawakening in the region, particularly in light of recent ethnic tensions and developmental challenges.
Theme and Significance
Themed “Reflect, Reset and Renew for National Prosperity,” the event provided an avenue for both spiritual introspection and national commitment. The Minister emphasized the sacred purpose of the day, encouraging attendees to transcend political, ethnic, and religious divisions to collectively thank God for His mercies and reflect on the path toward sustainable regional and national development.
A one-minute silence was observed to honor the lives lost in the Nkwanta ethnic conflict, underscoring the solemn tone of the event and the need for lasting peace.
Highlights of the Keynote Address
1. Recognition of Progress and Challenges
Hon. Gyapong acknowledged the dual reality of progress and persistent challenges within the region. He commended ongoing efforts in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and education while reminding the gathering of the socio-economic hardships still confronting communities in Oti.
2. Agricultural Development
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to agricultural transformation, highlighting key initiatives such as:
Feed Ghana Initiative
A seven thousand two hundred (7,200) hectors irrigation projects in Biakoye and Krachi East which Biakoye takes three thousand two hundred (3,200) and Krachi East takes four thousand (4,000)
These interventions are aimed at boosting productivity, ensuring food security, and creating employment for the youth.
3. Healthcare and Education
Significant improvements were reported in health and education access in areas like Krachi East, Nkwanta South, and Kadjebi. The ongoing completion of the agenda 111 hospital projects was noted as a major government priority to enhance healthcare accessibility across the region.
4. Road Infrastructure and Connectivity
Hon. Gyapong stressed the urgent need for road development, citing the bridging of Dambai river, Nkwanta-Kpassa-Damanko and Nkwanta-Dambai corridors as strategic arteries that must be completed during the current presidential tenure to unlock economic potential and improve mobility.
5. Appeal for Peace and Unity
A strong call was made for peace and reconciliation, particularly in conflict-prone areas such as Nkwanta South Municipal. The Minister appealed for forgiveness, community dialogue, and a shared commitment to regional stability.
He challenged all residents to treat personal and communal security as a shared responsibility and to support traditional authorities and security agencies in promoting lasting peace.
Appreciation and Charge to Citizens
Hon. Gyapong expressed gratitude to religious leaders for their continuous spiritual guidance and encouraged them to sustain the moral compass of society. He appealed to all residents to “pray not only with our lips but act with our hearts” — advocating for practical efforts toward peacebuilding, civic responsibility, and economic participation.
Conclusion
The 2025 National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving in Dambai was more than a religious observance — it was a timely intervention aimed at healing wounds, fostering unity, and reigniting hope in the future of the Oti Region and Ghana at large. As the Minister concluded, “May our thanksgiving rise as a sweet fragrance to the heavens, and may the blessings of the Almighty be poured in abundance on Oti Region and the entire nation.”
