Accra, July 22, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama at the weekend kicked against the tendency of students to acquire education in anticipation of white colour jobs, saying it is not the best means to mould a working Ghanaian.

"Government believes that effective education should result in the production of persons with a balanced mix of knowledge, values, skills and attitudes that can contribute to the productive capacity of the nation in all spheres," he said.

The Vice President made these remarks in a speech at the 75th Anniversary celebration of the Accra Academy in Accra, on the theme: "Commitment To Academic Excellence."

He said in this era of knowledge economy, it was not enough for one to be academically sound, stressing:" To be useful, academic excellence must go with practical innovation, initiative and application."

"These are qualities that are built up alongside good character. Far too often, brilliant academicians have been lost due to flawed characters."

Alhaji Mahama called on all stakeholders to take the implementation of the white paper on the educational reforms seriously, explaining that it was meant to train individuals capable of competing in the fast moving economic, political and social trends in a world made small by technology.

He made a personal donation of 20 million cedis to the school and pledged to get the assistance of the Ghana Education Trust Fund to complete any project worth 500 million cedis.

Mr Samuel Ofori-Adjei, the Headmaster said the school needed immediate assistance to rehabilitate the dining hall, expansion of the boarding house and provision of staff accommodation. He spoke against the de-boardinisation policy of the government, saying keeping students in boarding houses facilitated national integration.

Mr Charles Alexander Cofie, Chief Executive Officer of Unilever, Ghana, and a former student of the school said personal mastery; mental energy and discipline; power and imagination, the desire to succeed and sense of reality were the ingredients for personal achievement. Delivering a paper on "Beyond Academic Excellence", he called on old boys of the school to reposition the academic facility for continuing academic leadership in the 21st century.

"We should not be afraid of going slowly. We should only be afraid of standing," he said.

Master Joseph Odechie Bossman, Head Prefect, appealed for the completion of the school's, new dormitory block, which he said was at the foundation level.

Accra Academy was founded at James Town in Accra, on July 20 1931 by the late Mr K G Konuah, J A Halm, S M Awuletey and G N Alema.