The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, delivered remarks and led prayers at the 7th Annual Prayer Service for Children held at the Church Centre for the United Nations in New York on Monday, September 22, 2025, urging global leaders and communities of faith to place children at the heart of development and protection efforts.
Monday, 22 September 2025.
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Brothers and Sisters in faith,
I bring warm greetings from the good people of Ghana, from my husband, John Dramani
Mahama, and from my family.
I also extend well wishes from the Lordina Foundation, through which we work tirelessly to
improve the lives of women and children in Ghana.
Thank you for the invitation to the Annual Prayer Service for Children. It is a powerful event hosted by World Vision International and your partners.
On behalf of the children from around the world, thank you for your unwavering commitment to the vulnerable.
I am pleased with this year’s theme, “A Moment of Hope.” It is very relevant, particularly as
our leaders gather for the 80th UN General Assembly at a time when the global order is
rapidly changing.
We gather here, from different nations and cultures, but we are united by our shared faith.
Through prayer and collective action, we can create a world where every child is protected
and empowered to achieve their full potential.
To quote President John Mahama’s words, “the challenges facing our children today are
immense, but they can be tackled through decisive leadership.”
Across the world, children are affected by conflicts and humanitarian crises. The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of children are caught up in armed conflicts.
A significant number of these children are in Africa, where they are robbed of their childhood, forced to fight, and go through terrible experiences.
These are precious lives, destroyed by circumstances beyond their control. When nations fail to focus on policies that safeguard the home, strengthen communities, and nurture the
youth, it is our children who suffer the most.
When conflicts erupt, they are the ones who lose parents, siblings, homes, and dreams and carry emotional scars that can last a lifetime. This is why this prayer service is so vital.
It is a moment for us to pause, reflect, and seek divine intervention.
It is a moment to collectively pray for the wisdom our leaders need to make the right
decisions.
As the bible reminds us in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
With divine wisdom, our leaders can follow paths of peace and progress for all children.
Prayer builds strength, not just in the children who face adversity, but in us, as parents, to continue to work hard for their well-being.
Jesus Himself demonstrated profound love for children, telling us in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
And in Chapter 18:3, He calls us to learn from their meekness and purity. It is in this spirit that I humbly lift this prayer for the children of Ghana and the world:
Heavenly Father, I lift the needy and orphaned children in Ghana and across the world into
your loving care. I ask that you surround them with protection, comfort, and hope for a
brighter future. Provide for their daily needs, including food, shelter, clothing, and education.
Bless those who dedicate their time and resources to care for them. May these children grow in wisdom, strength, and joy, knowing that you love them.
Guide their paths with opportunities, surround them with kindness, and let their lives shine as testimonies of your unfailing grace and provision. Amen.
My dear friends, in this “Moment of Hope,” let us renew our collective commitment. I know
that God, the Almighty that we serve, will continue to bless and guide the President of Ghana to implement policies that protect our children, open opportunities, and prepare them for a good future.
Thank you, and may God bless and protect our children as we lift them up in prayer, now and always.
