Takoradi, March 6, GNA - Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Saturday, called on all Ghanaians to strive hard and sacrifice a lot towards the attainment of economic emancipation.

"As we celebrate our 53rd independence today, we must not become complacent but keep on striving towards achieving excellence, our political emancipation, should pave way for economic independence of the Country." Mr Aidoo said this at the 53rd Independence Anniversary Parade and award ceremony for best students in first and second cycle examinations. The ceremony was also used to pay tribute to public servants and politicians who had blazed the trail in difficult times to bring the country to its current pedestal.

Mr Aidoo added that the country's political independence could only reflect in its economic independence when citizens eschewed individualism and rather united to fight certain social cankers that had befallen the nation over the years.

"We really need to work hard to justify our Independence. It will also be appropriate for Ghanaians to begin to enjoy more of the benefits of good governance, fifty-three years after attaining nationhood," he stressed. The Regional Coordinating Council Award for best results in the 2009 BECE Exams went to Master Nathan Biney of the Bethel Methodist School in Takoradi, while Master Ebenezer Sefa of the Ghana Secondary Technical School emerged the best in the WASSCE exams. 06 March 10