Accra, Nov 28, GNA - Mr Christian Adu Atiemo, Chief Director at Office of the President, on Saturday called on Ghanaians to support the new education reform programme to enable the nation to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

"Government cannot do it all alone. It takes the concerted effort of all stakeholders in education to deliver quality education, therefore let us all use this opportunity offered us by the government and with all hands on deck support these reforms."

Mr Atiemo said the government had taken a bold initiative by issuing a white paper on the reforms that would give the right type of quality education for the transformation of the socio-economic development of the nation.

He noted that the future development of the nation depended on quality education at all levels.

The Chief Director made the call at the 64th annual speech and prize-giving day of the Odorgonno Secondary School in Accra. Mr Atiemo advised students to adopt good life styles, and to do "the right thing at the right time and at the right at the place" to enable them to become responsible citizens in the future.

He urged them to study hard to come out as successful students.

"The way forward is for you to learn hard, utilize your leisure time profitably and shun bad company and its related vices like drug abuse and HIV/AIDS."

He said students must respect authority and ensure that the school was free from strife and rancour since it was only when there was peace in the school and cordial relationship between teachers and students that effective teaching and learning could take place.

Mrs Mary Amankwah, Headmistress said the school's academic performance had improved.

She said the school's recent senior secondary school results from WAEC had shown the determination and commitment of the student and teachers to catch up with their colleagues from other schools.

The Headmistress praised the students and staff of the school, saying, "Both teachers and students have work hard at self comportment. She said that encroachment on school the land had delayed the completion of school projects and expressed concern about lack of health facilities and lateness as some of the major problems facing the school and appealed to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and charitable organisations for assistance.

Nana Araba Otowa, Queen Mother of the Mankessim Traditional Area, urged parents to join hands with the government to finance their children's education to enable them to have a bright future. She said, "Any individual who is not educated cannot put his or her God given talent to profitable use"

Some students received prizes for the academic performance while Master Jonas Attor, a form two-science student was given a deck CD player and scholarship covering his secondary to University education by the Rotary Club International for donating blood nine consecutive times.