The Silver Jubilee thanksgiving celebration of Ghana’s fourth Republic is underway at the Independence Square, Accra.

 A multitude of Ghanaians, led by president Nana Akufo-Addo have converged at the venue to thank God for a stable democracy in the last 25 years.

In a continent that has seen many takeovers in the last decade, Ghana remains a shining light with a stable democracy which has seen change in governments through elections over the last two decades and more.

But it did not come easy. Before the 1992 elections which ushered in the fourth republic, the country suffered many military takeovers. The last one was the Provisional National Defence Council which held on to power for over 11 years.

A cross section of military leaders at the event. They have promised to remain in the barracks and protect the territorial sovereignty of the country or resign if they want to do politics.

Since 1992, however, the country has enjoyed relative peace with six successive democratic elections.

Many have described this as a huge success.  

Ghana’s political class has agreed to be part of this Thanksgiving celebration, with the ex-president John Mahama applauding all Ghanaians for this feat.

A cross section of political party leaders at the event

He is present at the thanksgiving ceremony together with all the other ex-presidents John Kufuor, John Rawlings.

Other key political leaders representing some of the leading political parties have also converged at the Square for the ceremony.

The theme for the event is “Celebrating the goodness of the Lord.”

The event has started with a prayer and songs of praise from the Action Chapel Choir.

The ex-presidents from the fourth republic have taken turns to read scriptures much to the delight of the crowd.

Ex-president Rawlings who led Ghana for eight years under the fourth republic read the first scripture. He was president between 1992 to 2000. He was the military leader for 11 years before he transitioned into the democratic government.

Then came Ex-president John Kufuor who also led the country for two terms between 2000 and 2008 also took the second scripture reading.

It was the turn of ex-president John Mahama to take the third scripture reading. He finished the last six months of the first term of the late president John Mills. He was ushered into office in July 2012 after the John Mills died. He then won the 2012 elections but lost his second term bid to Nana Akufo-Addo who is now the president.

Prayers!

Religious leaders have taken turns to pray for the country and to ask for forgiveness of sins committed by the citizens. A short sermon was preached with the man of God describing "God as a Ghanaian." 

He calls for better moral leadership in the country and applauds the president for his relentless fight against galamsey in Ghana.

It is now the turn of the Muslim service. The Chief Imam Nuhu Sharabutu also gives his short sermon.

The president, whose initiative it is for the silver jubilee of the fourth republic to be celebrated now addresses the audience.

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