Tema, Dec. 16, GNA - Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister for Information and National Orientation, has called on the youth to take advantage of the opportunities under the private sector to study hard to become self employed.

Speaking at the 45th speech and prize-giving day of the Tema Secondary School at Tema, he noted that all over the world, the youth are coming up with innovative ideas that have not only made them rich but led to rapid development of their economies. Citing the success story of American billionaire Bill Gates, who started on a small note, he entreated students to make use of every opportunity offered them to develop their talent to enhance their future well being.

The Minister stated that the Youth Employment Programme being implemented by the government offers so many opportunities and urged them to exploit the opportunities to benefit from it by being serious with their books to acquire skills. The headmistress, Mrs Eunice Quansah, in her report said the school obtained 99.82 per cent with 540 students presented for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with 305 "As' and 394 "Bs" grades.

The best results were in Business and Science where three students who offered eight subjects had 5 "As" and 2 "Bs". The school scored 100 percent in nine subjects.

She said a total of 456 students qualified for university, taking aggregate 24 as the minimum entry qualification. Miss Grace Gyimah Boateng, a Science student, had five "As", and three "Bs" in the WASSCE examination.

Ms Boateng had a standing ovation from the high table and a loud applause from the audience when she was called to receive her prizes from a member of the school's Board of Governors, Mr Francis Wouland Tuyee.

The event was held under the theme, "youth entrepreneurship education: a must in our second cycle institutions".