Ghanaians have been asked to put the nation ahead of ethnicity and partisan political agenda.

Mr S. K. Obeng, a former Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), said this is necessary to protect the unity, stability and cohesion of the nation.

He was speaking at this year’s ‘Citizenship Day” celebration organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Odumase in the Asante-Akim North Municipality.

“Stand up for Ghana”, was the theme.

Mr Obeng said as a people with a common destiny, it is important to focus on issues that unite the population and do away with tendencies that tend to divide and polarise the society.

He encouraged all to be measured in their pronouncements to help grow the country’s multi-party democracy.

According to him, the theme for the celebration was “most appropriate”, saying, it is a call on every Ghanaian to show unalloyed loyalty to the state and do everything to safeguard its sovereignty.

Mr. Paul Oppong, the Municipal Director of the NCCE, asked the people to be more tolerant and accommodating of each other.

He said the international admiration Ghana has won for its democracy should not be taken for granted.

"The present generation should build on the foundations laid by their forebearers to preserve the nation for posterity", he added.

He expressed discomfort with the inflammatory and intemperate outbursts, gradually becoming part of the political discourse and said this is unhelpful to the promotion of peace.**