Kumasi, March 6, GNA - A parade of security personnel, youth groups, school children and voluntary organisations was held at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday to mark the 48th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

The occasion was also used to pray for the President, the government and the nation for peace, prosperity and growth of the country.

In an address read by Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, President John Agyekum Kufuor urged Ghanaians to use the occasion to resolve to make the country's democracy work. He said for democracy to thrive, all political institutions and individuals must recognise their constitutional limits and play their defined roles in consonance with the checks and balances inherent in democratic governance.

President Kufuor charged Ghanaian youth to be disciplined and take advantage of all the opportunities, which the state, their parents and guardians were placing at their disposal to prepare themselves to face the challenges in the future.

He said if the youth should accept this challenge, they would become productive and responsible citizens to whom the current generation of adults would pass the key to the sustenance of good governance and the democratic way of life that the nation had chosen to live.

President Kufuor commended the security agencies, the Ghanaian children, teachers and the various groups and associations for participating in the celebrations.

Awards and certificates were presented to schools and groups, which excelled in the parade.

The best cadet award went to Yaa Asantewaah Girls Secondary School, while the Armed Forces Secondary/Technical School received the best second cycle schools award.

Subin sub-metro schools were adjudged the best in the metro schools awards with the Boys Brigade taking the best youth organisation award. State Experimental School and the Garden City Special School received special awards.

Among the dignitaries at the parade were Mr Benjamin Asonaba Dapaah, Member of the Council of State, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia IV, Bantamahene, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, chiefs, religious leaders and heads of government agencies and departments,'