Ho, March 19, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, on Friday asked Ghanaian youth to remain hopeful of a better future for Ghana. He said even though Ghana was going through difficult times in the early years of his government, signs of prospects were in sight. President Atta Mills said this when he opened a three-day National Youth Summit of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) summit on the theme: "NDC Manifesto-Our Responsibilities", in Ho.

He said government was aware of its responsibilities and was committed to investing in the citizenry, especially the youth. "My government believes in the youth of the country and investing in them for profitable returns for the nation in future," President Mills said.

He said his believe was reinforced by the dedication and commitment of young people in his government.

President Mills called on the youth to make good use of government interventions to improve their lives.

He advised the youth to be objective, humble and nationalistic to enable them to take over the leadership mantle of the country. Mr. Asiedu Nketia, NDC General Secretary, asked NDC youth to take their destiny into their hands.

He advised NDC youth to be assertive but careful of their utterances adding "It is better to suffer in power than suffer in opposition so we all must be mindful of our speeches and utterances so that the party does not commit political suicide." Mr. Nketia called on the youth wing of the party to intensify efforts to win more youth for NDC in order to build a vibrant cadre of committed young people.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman of NDC, said in line with the party's objective of investing in people, the government was providing infrastructure to ensure that by 2011/2012, over 4,000 schools that were organizing classes under trees would do so in classrooms. He said government was extending financial support for training colleges, nursing training institutions and establishing two new universities, all aimed at investing in the people.

Dr. Adjei urged the youth to get themselves abreast with government interventions so as to counter opposition propaganda.

Mr. Ludwig Hlordze, NDC National Youth Organizer, commended the President for appointing young people into positions in his government. He said that the NDC youth wing was hopeful that government would deliver on its promises of investing in people and creating more jobs. Mr. Hlodze pledged the support of the youth wing of NDC for the government and hope that the government would not be distracted by the strategies of the opposition to derail it.

Dr. Adjei cut the sod for a 100-acre youth farm at Kpetoe in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District. 19 March 10