The vision of the government to invest in and inspire the youth in order to accelerate the tempo of development of the nation was given a boost at the 53rd independence anniversary parade Saturday when, in a departure from past anniversary celebrations, the programme was largely conducted by students.

Unlike in the past, music was provided by a mass band from four senior high schools, while the march past itself was performed by youth clubs, cadet groups and students from some selected schools in the Greater Accra Region.

The government’s conviction to get students actively involved in the day’s activities, according to President John Evans Atta Mills in his address, was critical in ensuring that the youth appreciated the struggles and the toil that had brought the country this far and also inculcate in them a sense of nationalism and belonging.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to invest in the youth in order to build the critical mass that would sustain the development agenda and further move it to higher heights.

He said the ‘better Ghana’ agenda was not limited to time and space, hence a critical pivot around which the governance programme was revolving was investing in the youth.

The President said the future of the country rested in the hands of the youth, adding that education was the key that would open the doors to the future.

“Be it in the area of medicine, law, engineering or entrepreneurship, education is the key that will unlock your potential and equip you with the capacity to take control of your destinies,” he stressed, and urged the youth to work hard and set educational goals for themselves.

He said 53 years ago, the Founding Father, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, declared Ghana a free nation, adding that it was a well-catalogued fact that the struggle for independence had not been an easy one.

“Many were those who shed their blood for our independence and we salute their memory for their selfless dedication to give life to Ghana,” he said.
President Mills said over the decades, scores of Ghanaians had worked hard and continued to work in the best interests of the country, adding that it was now time for “us as leaders and you as future leaders to also contribute our quota to nation building”.

“Teachers have a responsibility to inspire you; parents have a responsibility for making sure you stay on track and support your education and the government also has the responsibility to set high educational standards by supporting teachers to offer their best,” he said.

The President promised that his administration would not renege on its pledge to give depth and modern-day meaning to the educational system that would create the opportunities for the youth to take advantage of.

He said he would continue to play host to well-behaved pupils and students to drum home the fact that virtue was a trait that must be placed on a high pedestal.

He commended those who made it possible to have a successful independence day celebration, adding, “Let us continue to pledge our honour to be faithful and loyal to Ghana, our Motherland.”

Source: Daily Graphic