Accra, Dec. 16, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday as= ked for national support to encourage the youth to increase the spirit of voluntarism and seek worthwhile adventure to prepare them for future leadership positions. He also asked the youth to work harder to complement the efforts of the Government to push the nation forward.

President Mills made the call in an address on his behalf by Brigadi= er General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Retired), National Security Adviser at this year's Gold Award Presentation of the Ghana Head of State Award Scheme he= ld at the State House in Accra.

President Mills expressed the need to equip the youth with knowledge=

and skills to overcome the challenges in the current age of technological=

transformation. The Head of State Award Scheme - Ghana is a programme of holistic growth through the creative use of leisure time activity. The Award programme offers young people a challenge to the body, min= d and spirit. It also offers individual choices of activities, bringing joy=

and achievement and growth.

It teaches perseverance to participants through its requirements of time spent on each activity and seeks to maximize the potential of young people so that they may contribute effectively to society and nation. Open to young people from the ages of 14 to 25 years, the Award Sche= me requires participants to complete a balanced programme of non-competitive=

activities under five sections of Skills and Interest; Physical Recreatio= n; Adventurous Journey; Service to the Community and Residential Project. President Mills paid tribute to the founding fathers of the nation f= or their toils and said it was now time for the youth to follow the sacrific= es of the nation's founders with more hard work and a voluntary spirit. He reiterated Government's objective to impact positively on the liv= es of the youth and keep them in the National Youth Employment Scheme and ke= ep them active in productive ventures. President Mills urged the youth to take advantage of the Government'= s programmes and policies to enhance their lot and to improve on their skil= ls. About 100 youth from various educational institutions and youth oriented associations were given certificates and citations. Mr George Akornor, formerly of the Achimota Senior High School and t= he University of Ghana, a former beneficiary, said participation in the sche= me had since helped him to assume leadership positions.