Cape Coast, Mar. 21, GNA- Dr Paa. Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Energy, on Saturday observed that, for every nation to be classified among the rich and prosperous, there is the need for it to have successful people Ghana therefore, should endeavour to join the comity of prosperous nations.

Dr Nduom made these observations at the 58th Open and Prize-Giving Day of the Holy Child School at Cape Coast, under the theme, 'holistic education through collaborative partnership.'

He remarked that, quite often, Ghanaians behave as if the concept of success is alien to their traditions.

The Minister pointed out, "there is no doubt that, our traditional society cares about success, prosperity and achievement, and success is not something that happens by chance."

He noted that, it is in this light that those who are successful in life have to be recognised, commended and rewarded because they suffered and at times made some sacrifices before attaining that feat. He therefore, advised the students to strive to become successful women by taking their studies seriously.

Dr Nduom commended the headmistress and her staff for their dedication to duty which resulted into the school's marvellous performance in the 2003 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE).

His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, the Archbishop of Cape Coast, who was the special guest of honour, stressed on the need for the students to strive to achieve their dreams in order to succeed in life, and encouraged them to live a life that is acceptable by God always. Mrs Veronica A. Minta Nyarko, headmistress of the school, said the school's SSSCE results over the years have been improving steadily, but the 2003 results in which the school was third nationwide, were spectacular with many students getting "A's" in most of the subjects they offered.

She said, the school presented 250 students for the 2003 examinations and scored about 98 per cent passes, with Miss Shirley Mensah-Brown getting "A's" in all the eight subjects she offered in the examinations.

Mrs. Nyarko appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to come to the aid of the school by repairing the senior science laboratory, which is deteriorating and also appealed for a suitable means of transport for the school.

She commended the 1978-year group of the Holy Child Past Students Association (HOPSA) for constructing a one-unite 3 apartments bungalow for teachers at the cost of 83 million cedis to solve the problems of staff accommodation.

Mrs Joanna Mensah Sam executive director of Anti-conflict Foundation, an NGO based in Accra and President of the 1978-year group of HOPSA, who chaired the function, advised the girls to study hard and stay away from pre-marital sex to avoid contracting the HIV/AIDS virus. She, on behalf of her year group, promised to renovate the teachers' flats, repair the senior science laboratory and also acquire a suitable means of transport for the school by the end of the year.

Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Private Sector Development, donated 500,000.00 cedis to Miss Shirley Mensah Brown for being the over-all best student of the school in the 2003 SSSCE, whiles Mrs Vivian Adu Sarfo, president of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the school also gave her a special mobile phone.

Present at the function among other important dignitaries were, the Deputy Director-General of GES, Mr Michael Nsowah, Mr Fosuaba Banahene, Administrator of GETFUND and "Professor" Azumah Nelson, former World Featherweight Champion.