Takoradi, Jan 15, GNA- Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, the Western Regional Minister, on Saturday renewed calls to the people to take advantage of the National Youth Employment Programme to better their lot. He made the call at a Choral Music Festival organised by the Ghana @ 50 Regional Planning Committee as part of the activities marking the country's Golden Jubilee celebration at Takoradi.

In all Ten Church Choirs from Takoradi, Tarkwa and Sekondi participated in the festival.

Mr. Amoah said all Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies are implementing the Youth Employment Programme, which has ten modules ranging from education to waste management.

"My dear people of Western Region, we cannot fold our arms and expect manna to fall from heaven" he said.

Mr. Amoah said the country is a great place to do business because of its political stability and modern economic policies.

He said the region played a very important role in the struggle for independence and that the Railway Workers' Union, the Mine Workers' Union and individuals like Alfred George Grant, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, R.S.Blay and a host of others in the struggle cannot be wished away. Mr. Amoah said sacrifice and selflessness demonstrated by these gallant men of old should spur the present generation to do more for the nation.

"No matter how much we complain or protest, we should bear in mind that we are totally responsible for everything that happens to us in life", he said, adding "Let us stop blaming others and search within ourselves for the key, for we will always find what we need". "We should develop a spirit of perpetual optimism backed by hard work, honesty, commitment, transparency to achieve success in business and in society", he concluded. 15 Jab 07