Bawku (U/E), July 24, GNA - Mr. Abudul-Rahman Gumah, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, has launched National Service Personnel Association's celebrations at Bawku and appealed to personnel to remain dedicated and patriotic.

He said in a speech read on his behalf that the nation could be developed through the concerted efforts of all the citizenry. The weeklong celebration, which is on the theme "Ghana @ 50: The Positive Contributions of NASPA to National Development," will be marked with a clean-up exercise, symposium, fun games, excursion and an awards/dinner night.

"Wherever we find ourselves we should see it as a challenge and put in our maximum efforts in contributing our quota in whatever form to bring about change for the development of Ghana" he said. Mr. Gumah called on personnel to use the occasion to reflect on poverty and ignorance that were some of factors that hindered the social, cultural and economic development of society. He urged personnel to identify themselves with the communities in which they lived to help address some of the challenges that confront the communities.

Mr. Gumah commended the personnel for their contributions in the municipality.

Mr. Ali Mashood, NASPA president, expressed worry over the attitude of some user agencies using personnel as "newspapers boys". He suggested to the National Service Secretariat to sensitize such user agencies on the need to appreciate the concept of youth service.