WASHINGTON — Today Museum of the Bible welcomed His Excellency President Akufo-Addo of Ghana as the guest of honor and keynote speaker at its inaugural Africa Lecture, coinciding with the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer (NDOP) in the United States. The event served as this year’s first official observance of the NDOP in the nation’s capital.

NDOP President Kathy Branzell welcomed attendees to the National Day of Prayer kickoff event with an opening prayer, reflecting that, “today we are joining millions of voices who together on this special day are exalting the Lord.”

By law, the U.S. Congress mandates an annual NDOP.

Assembled in the museum’s World Stage Theater, distinguished guests included foreign ambassadors and diplomatic staff from many African nations as well as American and African business and religious leaders, policymakers and others.

Steve Green, Chairman of Museum of the Bible, noted, “President Akufo-Addo could have done many things when he ascended to the presidency, but he chose to prioritize the construction within his nation of a museum to honor the impact of the Bible on the formation of his nation. He is a world leader, from another continent, here today to remind us what we should cherish during our own National Day of Prayer.”

The Museum’s Africa Lecture honors figures on the continent who have integrated biblical principles in their career.

President Akufo-Addo said, “The Museum of the Bible celebrates the most enduring book of all time, and it is my honor to speak at the inaugural Africa Lecture. I am a Christian in politics who is unashamed of asserting my faith. It is my Christian faith that has animated my vision to move Ghana to a situation beyond aid by putting our country on the road to self-reliance, sustained progress, and prosperity.”

President Akufa-Addo’s appearance underscores the emergence of the Museum of the Bible, just blocks off Capitol Hill, as an international destination for leaders who respect the Bible and integrate their faith with their decision-making, family life, careers and governance. Some of those guests in recent months have included countless lawmakers, renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and the official delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarch, which visited the museum prior to meeting with President of the United States Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

More information on Museum of the Bible is available here.