Accra, July 8, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama, has urged Ghanaians to join in the centenary birthday celebration of Ghana's first President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which is barely two months away. "There is no time to waste, we'll move on with alacrity," the Vice President said, as he received a preliminary report on the programme for the celebration from the Committee on Kwame Nkrumah Centenary Celebration, on behalf of President John Evans Atta Mills, at the Castle, Osu in Accra.

The Vice President expressed the appreciation of Government for the work of the Committee.

He said the Committee would implement proposals in the report. Vice President Mahama commended the members of the Committee for deciding not to take honorarium for work done, which according to him demonstrated a sense of nationalism and dedication.

Mr Mahama reiterated his expectation for a modest budget on the celebration, which he said would "bring out the uniqueness of the man the whole of Africa is celebrating on September 21."

Budget estimates for the celebration were not mentioned, but Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr, Chairman of Committee, said the entire estimates would be made known if details were worked out. Presenting the report of the Committee, inaugurated in last June, Prof. Sawyerr said the celebration would go beyond September 21st, to cover remembrance events leading to the events on February 28 1948 as well as April 27, 1972, when Nkrumah died, which would be marked by a brief but solemn occasion.

There would also be the African Union cluster which would also require Government to negotiate appropriate programme for the African Union Day in May.

Prof. Sawyerr said the celebration also seeks to remember women and the youth for their role in the independence struggle and provide the opportunity to tell the true story about Nkrumah. Another group that called on the Vice President was the Council for Indigenous Business Association (CIBA), led by Ralph Ameyaw, the Executive Secretary.

Vice President Mahama commended the Association, which was a co-ordinating organ for small and medium enterprises for their job creation and assured them of government support to secure micro credit. He advised them to keep proper records of their business and to develop their entrepreneurial skills. 8 July 09