Features

Covenant Sunday; New Year Blues

Story By Hannah Dadzie

Facebook: Hannah Pinky Ama Dadzie

Twitter: @DadziePinky

Ghanaians ushered in the new year with Church services across the country. As people were praying and hoping for good things in the ensuing year, others were cashing in, as they hinted, they were making their last sales for 2021.

As I walked through some streets in my area, some individuals were seen doing business as usual. I saw a tailor, who was busily sewing some shirts and trousers. As I enquired, he told me he was trying to finish the orders, saying people brought new materials be sewn for the first Sunday of the month, which many churches and Christians termed as “Covenant Sunday”.

“I am trying to beat the deadline, as most people will be using theirs on the first Sunday of the year, which is just around the corner. I am far behind time; I need to finish them today”, the tailor said.

I chanced upon a Pharmacy, which was also opened as around watch night service time. The Pharmacist Kingsley, told me, they had opened to take of those who might need medications in the hours as the Church services were held.

“As humans, we don’t know what might happen, so we are here to give assistance to anyone who might fall sick, we are not saying something of that sort should happen”, the Pharmacist Kingsley, noted.

Some barbering shops and provisions stores were also making sales as they believe, they could thank and offer prayer of supplication to God wherever they were to usher in the new year. Others also ushered in the New Year at restaurants, pubs and clubs amidst partying. I later found my way to my Church to join in the Service to usher in 2022, as I walked through the streets, I realized that firecrackers and explosives were blaring street corners and open spaces despite the ban on them.

The Church was filled to capacity with both regular and occasional worshippers. There were spontaneous shouts of ‘afehyia pa’, jubilation and singing songs of praise, hymns amidst dancing and waving of white handkerchiefs, to thank God for ushering them into another year., at the stroke of midnight.