Kumasi, March 10, GNA- Ghanaians have been advised to go beyond mere learning how to recite the National Anthem and pledge, and abide by its contents.

Mr Opoku-Agyeman Prempeh, Managing Director of Lakayana Company, a Construction firm and a revenue generation and collection consortium, who gave the advice said, the message in the anthem and pledge, portrays patriotism, and it is only when Ghanaians comprehend it that they could truly develop patriotism.

Mr Prempeh gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Wednesday, on the need for Ghanaians to develop more patriotism and nationalistic spirit for speedy development of Ghana. He stated that without patriotism, Ghanaians would find it difficult to get the nation out of its economic and social doldrums, irrespective of the numerous interventions and assistance from the international communities.

Mr Prempeh regretted that even after 47 years of independence, the majority of Ghanaians could not recite the anthem and pledge properly.

"School pupils and students should not only be made to recite them, but also taught the significance and implications of the words embodied in the anthem and pledge", he stressed.