Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Presidential Adviser, has indicated that natural resources alone cannot spur the growth and development of Ghana; good character and patriotism are also necessary.

He said, "All over the world, countries with little or no natural resources are doing excellently well because they have adhered to discipline, good work ethics, and patriotism, which are very essential in nation-building."

Mr. Osafo-Maafo was speaking at "The Pledge; Making the National Pledge a National Reality," an event organized by the Boys' and Girls' Brigade of the Freeman Methodist Church in Kwesimintsim.

The project on the Pledge aims to help both the current and older generations make introspective and retrospective considerations of the content of the national emblems and songs, and to truly live in the promises espoused in them, reflecting on the fortunes of the country.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo wondered why Ghanaians heartlessly smuggled cocoa and other state natural resources to other countries to sell at cheaper rates, went to work late, or even refused to go at all on rainy days. He added, "In Germany, when the rains fall in the morning and work is delayed, everyone automatically stays on to do extra duty to compensate for the morning loss... this is a growth idea."

He questioned why "Ghanaians still perceive state companies as remnants of colonialism and so continue to handle work with a relaxed mentality... it is about time we came to self-realization that nobody will build our country but us... teach the Pledge with meaning and understanding to the current generation so that the words in it can be actualized."

He also tasked the churches with psyching the mentality of the Ghanaian to give off their best.

Mr. Justice Yaw Ennin, the Western Regional Director of the NCCE, described the Pledge as an official undertaking by all Ghanaians to uphold the integrity, sovereignty, and patriotism of the state and queried why these qualities seemed to be missing.

He urged people to stop demanding money from politicians, as it was a major contributor to the socio-economic burden on the country... "Stop selling your conscience and rights for money."

Lieutenant Col. Bondah, the Commanding Officer for the 2BN at Apremdo, said the new emerging oppressors' rule was not from the colonialists but the Ghanaian attitude towards each other.

He said society was gradually losing focus on good virtues and tasked the church to make the positive change happen for the younger generation.

The Right Reverend Emmanuel Kwesi Ansah, the Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church, said what was left for the country was to build on the heritage left to us by our forefathers to avert the degeneration of the nation's resources.