The Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has called on Samoans to unite in prayer and fasting beginning on 11 January and ending on 16 January to pray for peace, unity, combating drugs, and improving health and education.

La'aulialemalietoa delivered his New Year greetings on 1 January.

In pushing this forward as usual every year, the church leaders, the National Council of Churches, will take the lead together with all the government ministries to fast and hold prayer services at the Maota Tatalo every Wednesday.

La'auli highlighted concerns about illicit drugs and said this is an effort of the whole country to tackle it.

"Right now, I emphatically call for urgent, collective and concerted efforts to combat illicit drugs in our country." 

"The need to bolster our vigilance at our national borders is critical and crucial. A devoted workforce, trusted and timely intelligence sharing, appropriate equipment and reliable networks are important requisites we must secure. This fight is not solely a government’s responsibility but that of the whole country. "

"A united Samoa in the fight against drugs can be the only hope of our children and youth growing in an environment without the shackles of addiction."

Prime Minister La'auli said his government remains steadfast in its commitment to improving health and education because they know that every citizen has a right to access quality healthcare and quality educational services.

"Investment is greatly encouraged in initiatives to empower our youth, support education at all levels, including early childhood education, prioritise reforms of our healthcare systems and equipment, and continue efforts to build human capital capacity for effective and efficient service delivery. "

"The Head of State’s Christmas message called for reaffirmation of unity through prayer and supplication to the Lord for Samoa. As a nation founded on God, our unity in prayer is the only way to seek divine guidance in our daily walk-through life, and what the future holds for us all. "