Christmas is a season of gratitude, forgiveness, love and sharing – Prof. Okoe Amartey to University community

It was a beautiful afternoon of reflection, solemn praise, thanksgiving and fervent prayer as the University community converged in holiness to express their gratitude to the Almighty God for seeing them through another year.

Dubbed University Day of Thanksgiving, the annual event set the tone for the festive season and ushers community members into the Christmas holidays.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Professor Abednego F. O. Amartey thanked the university community for their invaluable service, dedication and contributions to the growth of the university.

He urged members to use the Yuletide as a happy period of gratitude, forgiveness, love and sharing as they reflect on the year 2021.

He also asked them to learn to appreciate the essence of life despite the many challenges that they were faced with, stressing that being alive was a priceless gift that one cannot afford to take for granted.

Prof. Okoe Amartey further admonished community members to eschew personal rancour while encouraging them to exercise the spirit of forgiveness just as Christ died for their sins.

“The festive season calls forgiveness just as God forgave us our sins,” the Vice-Chancellor said. “Whilst we socialise, wine and dine, let’s not forget to show our gratitude to God for His faithfulness and protection over our lives. For it is said that an attitude of gratitude will determine the altitude at which you can soar.”

In leading members through the thanksgiving prayers, lecturer and General Overseer of The Maker’s House Chapel International, Rev. Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye, delivered a brief sermon entitled, “We are here by God’s grace”.

Focusing his message on 1 Corinthians 15:10, he counseled community members to first seek the Kingdom of God in everything they do since He is the Supreme Being that holds their lives.

According to Rev. Dr. Boadi Nyamekye, without God, one is bound to fail in pursuing his or her aspirations, emphasising that “For it is by the grace of God that we are what we are.”

“We are not here today because we are special or have worked for it,” he said. “It is God’s divine grace that has brought us thus far. Some of our friends and colleagues lost their lives along the line through no fault of theirs but here we are witnessing another Yuletide. Tell me if this is not by grace?” he said.

The University Day of Thanksgiving was climaxed with a Christmas Party & Karaoke session where members of the university community especially Senior Members socialised, wined and dined while exhibiting their God-given talents through a live rendition of some popular Christmas songs and carols as well as thrilling the audience with some jaw-dropping performances.

Notable among the personalities present at the event were the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Barnor; Dr Koryoe Anim-Wright, Registrar; Mr Nicholas Nelson Adjei, Director of Finance and various Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments/Units, faculty members and administrative staff.