Accra, March 3, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend called on the 150 Zongo communities in the country to set up a consortium for banking, insurance and other businesses to create employment.

Vice President Mahama, a product of a Zongo in Yendi in the Northern Region pledged his support for such an initiative, stressing: 93I want to be part of such initiative."

Speaking at a grand durbar of Zongo chiefs in Accra to mark 50 years of Ghana's independence, he asked the revellers to ensure that in the next 50 years all children of school going age in the Zongo's were in school.

" Fifty (50) years hence, Zongo communities should be very self-sufficient and contributing even more positively towards national development."

Vice President Mahama asked the Zongo chiefs to set up an endowment fund to cater for the socio-economic and educational needs of their people.

He said the art of nation building was the collective effort of the citizenry, adding:

"Before, during and after independence our Zongo communities have continued to make invaluable contributions towards the development of Ghana."

Vice President Mahama said people from the Zongo's were the pillar behind the Ghana Armed forces and the Police during the formative years of the country.

Alhaji Imoro Baba Issa, Chairman of the Coordinating Committee for the celebration of Ghana @ 50 in the Zongo community said people from the Zongo's had made a great mark in national development and announced an awards night to award those who have distinguished themselves in various fields of national development. He said Zongo History and Achievers month would be instituted as part of the Ghana @ 50 celebrations, which would be made an annual affair.

The over seven hours event was characterised by cultural variety showcasing various dances from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions and horse riding antics. 03 March 07