Developing the nation is a demand which no one must run away from, the Priest in charge of the St Anthony Catholic Church at Senya, Rev. Fr Bernard Kofi Annan Ackon, has said.

He said unfortunately Ghanaians seemed to be using partisan politics to circumvent this obligation.

Rev. Fr Ackon made the observation at a forum organised by the Awutu-Senya District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) as part of its Citizenship Day celebration in the district.

It was attended by pupils of Catholic schools in the town.

The Day was instituted by the Commission in 2012 to commemorate the country’s return to constitutional rule in 1992. It also aims at instilling patriotism in the youth.

The Catholic priest urged Ghanaians to take keen interest in the Constitution, which forms the basis of the laws of the country, in order not to be found wanting.

He said for Ghana to develop, it was incumbent on every citizen to play his or her role well.

“If you see anyone doing something wrong, advise him or her to stop or report the person to an elderly person, and advise your colleagues who run from school to stay with friends to stop such behaviour and also report your parents who indulge in anti-social activities,” the Priest stated.

Rev. Fr Ackon advised students to stop behaving as if they were in the school for the sake of their parents, saying, “Through education you are helping yourself to become prominent citizens in future and to be in a position to help your parents and others. If you are serious with today, tomorrow will come and meet you with seriousness since securing your future lies in how you take your studies serious.”

He urged them to live in peace with others and respect the cultures of other people and also pay their taxes when they become adults.

Mr Andres Ofori Larbi, the Awutu-Senya District Director of the NCCE, urged the pupils to let the sweat and toil with which their forefathers built the nation to guide them to sacrifice towards the development of the country and advised them to uphold the democratic values of the nation.