President John Dramani Mahama used the occasion of Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary to appeal to Ghanaians to place the nation above their personal interests.
He said above all, Ghanaians must place country above party, above tribe, and above personal interests; stating that Ghana was bigger than any one of them.
The President made the appeal in his address to Ghanaians at the nation’s 69th Independence Day Celebration Parade on the theme “Building Prosperity, Restore Hope”.
The event, which was held at the forecourt of the Presidency in Accra had as the special guest of honour Dr Terrance Michael Drew, the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis with his wife, Diani Jinesha Prince-Drew.
Also in attendance were First Lady Lordina Mahama, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, former Presidents: John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“We must foster a national culture of integrity, where honesty is valued and public service is regarded as a sacred duty. Independence granted us freedom, but freedom demands responsibility,” he said.
We need to reestablish discipline in our national life, discipline in how we manage public resources, discipline in adhering to the law, and discipline in how we treat one another in public life.”
President Mahama reiterated that patriotism should extend beyond just slogans.
Adding that true patriotism must be shown through their everyday actions.
The President said the citizen who protects public property, the public servant who ana’s future.
“To the young people of this country, I see you, I hear you, and I believe in your potential,” President Mahama said.
“You belong to a generation that is armed with tools and opportunities that earlier generations could hardly have imagined.
“In your hands, a smartphone transforms into a classroom. In your hands, a business platform, a smartphone transforms into a business platform.
“In your hands, a smartphone transforms into a creative studio and a gateway to the global economy.”
He said however, he also recognized their frustrations, and that was why the government was investing in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship programmes, and innovation hubs across the country, from Accra to Kumasi to Tamale, Takoradi, Ho and Koforidua.
He said the Government was reforming education to meet the needs of the modern economy and expanding internship and apprenticeship programmes to bridge the gap between school and the world of work.
“But success will also depend on discipline, resilience, and excellence. And let me give you sound advice. The future belongs to those who prepare for it,” the President said.