Nkawie (Ash), March 2, GNA - Mr Thomas Ofori-Donkor, Atwima-Nwabiagya District Chief Executive, has said that the country's struggle for independence was to create peaceful democratic governance for sustainable socio-economic development. He observed that the country had achieved much since independence in its political, social and economic endeavours but admitted that much more needed to be done.

Mr Ofori-Donkor was addressing participants and students of six second cycle institutions in the District that participated in an inter-schools quiz competition organized by the District Assembly as part of activities to commemorate the country's 50th independence anniversary celebration at Nkawie on Thursday. Toase Secondary School emerged champions with 51 points followed by Osei Tutu Secondary School with 44 points and Nkawie Secondary/Technical with 32 points.

Nerebehi Integrated Centre for Employable Skills (ICCES) came fourth with 26 points, while Cataab Secondary/Vocational and Barekese Secondary School placed fifth and sixth with 25 and 24 points respectively.

The DCE emphasized on the need for the youth to keep the country united by mixing well with all tribal groupings on campuses and also learn and appreciate the values of one another's culture. He entreated the youth to reciprocate the gesture of the forefathers by being patriotic and selfless to sustain the country's motto of "Freedom and Justice".

Mr Eddy Obeng-Darko, the District Director of Education, described the competition as not only academic but also historical exercise for the country's youth.

He expressed regret that most of the present day youth had little knowledge about their political history and expressed the hope that such programmes would deepen their knowledge about the country's important events.

Mr Obeng-Darko commended the participants for performing creditably and expressed the hope that the exercise would be extended to the basic schools.