Accra, Dec. 30, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday urged Ghanaians to work harder in the coming year to ensure the prosperity of our dear country. In a New Year Message, he noted that the out-going year had undoubtedly been a challenging one and Ghanaians should thank God that He had brought us this far.

Mr Kufuor wrote: "We have missed opportunities that would have taken our country up the ladder of progress and development.

"We have not matched our words with our deeds. Divisiveness, fear and intimidation of innocent people, which should have been things of the past, are beginning to rear their ugly heads up again."

Mr Kufuor said as Ghanaians take stock of the outgoing year and plan for the New Year, "l pray that we put our country first in all that we do and practice what we preach".

He said Ghanaians should endeavour at all times to strengthen the country's democratic process and never give in to the rule of tyranny or arbitrariness.

"It must be the bounding duty of Ghanaians to strengthen constitutio= nal rule and ensure that in all instances, the tenets of the constitution are=

applied fairly and equally to all citizens of the land irrespective of th= eir political persuasions," Mr Kufuor said.