Winneba(C/R), March 30, GNA - The Member of Parliament (MP) for Adanse-Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, Mr K.T. Hammond, has asked students to play a vital and pivotal role in the country's political dispensation. He said the role of students and the youth in national politics was almost negligible and appealed to students not to sit on the fence when issues of national importance were being discussed.

Mr Hammond was speaking at an end of year durbar and fund- raising ceremony of the University of Education, Winneba, branch of the Asante Students Union (ASU). The theme for the occasion was "Improving Asante culture: the role of the University student."

Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the MP for Assin-North, Mr Kennedy Ohene-Agyapong, the Offinsomahene, Nana (Dr.) Owusu Kwarteng and the Ejisu-Juabeng Adontehene, Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso. Mr Hammond advised students not to resort to any form of violence but rather pass their grievances through the proper channel for redress. He advised students to take their studies seriously in order to contribute meaningfully towards the socio-economic development of the nation. He also urged them to be transparent in all their dealings and to refrain from engaging in dubious means to enrich themselves, if they wanted to succeed in life

The Adontehene of Ejisu-Juabeng, Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso, called on students to develop an entrepreneurial mind and to aspire to become self-employed after school. He asked them to dedicate their lives to God and plan strategically towards their retirement.

Earlier in a welcome address, the President of ASU, Nana Ohemeng Prempeh, urged members to comport themselves on campus in order to safeguard the good name of the Union and the Asante Kingdom. Nana Prempeh said the Union would establish an endowment fund on campus to reduce the financial burden on needy students.