Accra, March 7, GNA - The Free World Foundation, an Accra NGO on Wednesday congratulated the government and people of Ghana on the nation's 50th anniversary celebration and expressed the hope that the nation will forge ahead in unity with a common destiny. A statement issued in Accra, signed by the Executive Director, Rashid Anyetei Odoi said; 93We believe that as the country commemorates its independence, Ghana could use its history to strategise for the future if all stakeholders could take a non-partisan stock of the country's past".

The foundation was of the view that, the nation would continue to enjoy peace and stability, if the current democratic governance structures were strengthened and Ghanaians respected the national vision of a united nation irrespective of their political affiliation. The statement urged government to continue to pursue effective anti-poverty policies that would accord everyone improved standard of living including the provision of food, shelter, education, health and other social services.

"Although we are pleased with the country's foreign policy which has ensured peace with our immediate neighbours and the world at large, government must put international pressure on the Gambian government to unravel the mysteries surrounding the cold blooded murder of 44 Ghanaians in the Gambia in July 2005."

The statement urged government to institute measures that would ensure the continuity of the capitation grant and the school feeding programme regardless of changes in government and address the problem of the acute shortage of qualified teachers.

"We are happy that Ghana is celebrating her golden jubilee of independence at a time when both the Domestic Violence and the Persons with Disability Bills have been passed into Acts," the statement said, but however added it was saddened that the Right to Information Bill has not been passed since 2003.