Mpraeso (E.R), March 06, GNA - Over 2,000 Basic and second cycle sch= ool children and other groups participated in a march past to mark the countr= y's 53rd independence anniversary celebration at Mpraeso and Nkawkaw in the Kwahu South District and Kwahu West Municipality respectively.

Addressing the school children at Nkawkaw, the Kwahu West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Alex Somuah Obeng, attributed the country's under development to mismanagement of the nation's resources, poor maintenance culture, corruption and selfishness which he said could not be attributed= to one particular administration.

He therefore called for cooperation, discipline, tolerance and ensur= e effective management of the nation's resources to enhance the country's development. Mr. Obeng said the government had put in place the necessary measure= s to revive and revamp the economy to reduce the hardship and suffering of the people.

He urged the school children to concentrate on their studies to acqu= ire the requisite knowledge to take over responsible positions in the country= 's administration in the near future.

The Kwahu South District Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Omari, in his address advised parents, guardians and teachers to accept challenges and consciously train and build the capacities of children for leadership in future.

He urged Ghanaians to support the implementation of the various policies and programmes initiated by the government to build the skills a= nd capacity of the youth in the various modules under the National Youth Employment programme to create employment for the unemployed. School children who excelled during the march past were awarded with=

certificates.