Nkawkaw, March 7, GNA - Over 2,000 students and pupils from 68 public and private basic and second-cycle educational institutions and voluntary organizations participated in the 49th Independent anniversary march past at the Nkawkaw CYO Park in the Kwahu West District on Monday. The District Chief Executive, Nana Kofi Kese, the District Director of Education, Mr Seth Koranteng and the District Police Commander, ASP Christopher Klomegah, took the salute.

In an address read on his behalf, the President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, urged parents, guardians and all educational institutions in the country to inculcate the essence of the nation's motto of "Freedom and Justice" into children for them to grow up with the values that will safeguard the destiny of the country.

He said he was using this year's celebration to launch next year's Golden Jubilee independence celebrations which should be used to overcome problems like ethnicity, political factionalism, religious intolerance, apathy and indiscipline confronting the nation.

The President said since the first goal of a country's independence was to provide the citizenry freedom and justice that would guarantee their human rights under the constitution, the government had implemented programmes and policies to enhance the material and spiritual well being of the nation and its people.

He said the government had begun implementing its educational reform programme to prepare and equip the people with requisite knowledge, skill and competence that will enable them appreciate the country's position in the rapidly emerging global village. President Kufuor said in this respect, the study of science and mathematics are being pursued with diligence while measures have been put in place to develop ICT infrastructure throughout the country to enable students to acquire basic knowledge and skills in ICT which he said is "the main tool driving globalization."

Basic and second cycle schools which excelled in the march past were presented with certificates.

Present at the function included the MP for Nkawkaw constituency, Okerechiri Kwabena Adusa and the Obohene, Nana Yeboah Afari Buagyan, II.