Minister of Presidential Affairs, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, has asked the US to focus its response on last week's attack on Washington and New York City on dealing with the causes terrorism.
"This terrorist attack on America and the world's response to it, whatever it may be, would shape the 21st century," he said in Accra on Monday.
"In responding to this terrorist attack, therefore, it is important for America to focus on combating the causes rather than just the symptoms of terrorism."
Obetsebi-Lamptey was speaking at a memorial and thanksgiving service organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana to mourn the thousands of people who perished in the attack.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, two commercial airplanes hijacked by terrorists rammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. A third hijacked plane hit the Pentagon, outside Washington while a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania.
Thousands of lives, including at least four Ghanaians were lost, following which President George Bush has stated that America would search and punish not only the terrorists, but also those who harbour and sponsor them.
Obetsebi-Lamptey said the attack on America would have a telling effect on the rest of the world, especially poor countries and called on all world leaders to condemn the attack and "move to combat this evil with all the forces and vehemence it requires."
Obetsebi-Lamptey pledged Ghana's support to America saying, "this tragedy has united us in grief and we share in your pain."
Ibrahim Omar, Palestinian Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, called on the entire world to rally behind America. "Let us put our acts together to eradicate terrorism in all its forms."
He said the event of September 11 should teach the world that terror is not the way forward in the search for solution to the social, political and economic problems confronting humankind.
"We must discuss our differences and bridge the yawning gap between justice and injustice through constructive discourse based on the principle that all people are equal and entitled to the same rights irrespective of their geographical location, colour of skin or race," he said.
Mr Omar expressed the condolences of his country and those of the diplomatic corps to the American people.
Ms Nancy Powel, US Ambassador said though the terrorists sought to destroy America and in the process divide the world, "whoever he is, he has failed because this attack has rather united the world the more."
She said the terrorists only succeeded in destroying lives and disrupting American and world commerce.
Ms. Powel thanked the government of Ghana and other states for their condolences and said America would rally the rest of the world to end the evil of terrorism.
Quoting President Bush she said, "We will use all the resources at our disposal to conquer terrorism. We will rally the world and with patience and focus we will win." She said this is the resolve of all Americans.
In a sermon, the Rev Father George Neequaye, Anglican Chaplain at the Ridge Church where the well-attended service was held, urged the US to be circumspect in responding to the terrorist attack in order not to destroy innocent lives in the process.
He said an inappropriate response by America would not only lead to the destruction of innocent lives, but also result in a cycle of vengeance which could have a telling effect on the world.
In an appeal that he conceded could be described ''as naive and absurd'', Rev Neequaye asked Americans to ''forgive and leave vengeance for God to repay the terrorists''.
He urged America not to wholly depend "on the arm of flesh but on God for total security", saying that the success of the terrorists in their attack is proof of the shortcomings in the arm of flesh.
Present at the memorial service was the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Christian, Moslem and other religious faith, members of the diplomatic corps, political party representatives and people from all walks of life.
They signed a book of condolence that remains open at the Ridge Church.
