...to overcome problem of political fanaticism and ethnicity

Kumasi, Feb. 24, GNA - The Vice President, Aliu Mahama on Saturday called on the youth to strive to overcome the problem of political fanaticism and ethnicity, which tend to polarize people and bring about apathy and indiscipline.

He said, 93the values espoused by the founding fathers of the nation as expressed unequivocally in our national motto; 91Freedom and Justice' must be engrained in the psyche of all of us". The Vice-President was speaking at Ghana@50 programme for children 96 Meet the political leaders 96 organized by the Children's Rights International in collaboration with the Plan Ghana, an NGO, in Kumasi.

He told the children that it was 50 years ago that the country achieved a remarkable feat of becoming the first African country south of the Sahara to attain political independence. He said the attainment of independence did not come so easy and that many illustrious men and women toiled and sacrificed even at the peril of their lives to free Ghana from colonial rule. Alhaji Aliu said 50 years in the life of a nation was no mean achievement and that was why the occasion was being used to commemorate the contributions of the illustrious people who championed the nationalist struggle.

He said; 93The celebration of our nation's 50 years of independence at this particular time in our history also means a re-birth of a new nation. Indeed, a fresh beginning and a re-awakening of political consciousness of liberal democracy and a strong determination to make our nation great".

This, he said, posed a great challenge to all Ghanaians. Especially the youth who constitute the future leadership to work together as a united people to make the nation great and strong. The Vice-President said Ghana, like any other developing country, is caught up in the spiral of the global economy which was characterized by social ills and hardships of malnutrition, little access to water, housing, health care and education.

He said the disparity in service delivery and low-income levels had over the years increased poverty, especially in the rural areas and to a large extent, undermined child right and participation in decision-making process.

Alhaji Aliu said, 93Ghana needs people of passion, vision and mission to accomplish societal and national development goals and it also needs selfless, patriotic and dedicated nationalists of the calibre of our fore-bearers and of course, Mr. Kofi Annans and Dr. Ibn Chambas of international repute, in this crucial moments of our national life".

Mr Bright Kweku Appiah, Executive Director of Children's Rights International, told the children that society is always interested in children who can demonstrate a sense of responsibility, stressing that the future was theirs and they should take it through exercise of rights and responsibilities without fear or favour. "We cannot deny the role of children on the drive of state economy and how children participate in issues of this country can be a bane or blessing. What we do with the child must remain a resounding note in the ears of society by engaging them for the sake of sustenance and maintenance of national property", he said.

He pointed out that the culture of maintenance, rehabilitation and integration of the child must remain very important in the national goals.

In an address read on his behalf, Mr Samuel Paulos, Country Director of Plan Ghana, said the state's responsibility was to ensure that each citizen particularly children lived in an environment that is safe, progressive, protected from ignorance, abuse, hunger, unemployment, diseases and poverty. He told the children that there was no easy way or short cut to successful and honourable life except through hard work, honesty, determination and respect for others particularly their parents, teachers, elders and the country.