President Mills Declares Confidence In Young People

President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday hosted about 350 school pupils at the Osu Castle in Accra, and reminded them of the need for discipline and commitment to duty to propel them into responsible adults. He said the ruling National Democratic Congress would endeavour to develop young people, and work tirelessly to eliminate more than 1,000 �school under trees� with bricks and mortar structures to improve on education. President Mills said he was happy that it had the opportunity to meet with the pupils to think about the way forward for building a Better Ghana. The pupils were from selected basic and second cycle schools from all the 10 Administrative Regions of Ghana, including the physically impaired. Selection to the interaction with President is among other things based on the pupil's discipline at school. President Mills emphasised that life was about discipline, truth, hard work, dedication and love for one another. He underscored the need for the pupils to avoid rifts on the grounds of ethnocentrism, stressing the need for the �bigger picture� in all their undertakings. President Mills reminded the children that next year, would be an Election Year, and reassured the nation that Government is determined to run free, fair and transparent polls. He urged the pupils to continue to abide by good religious tenets and practices and not to copy the bad lifestyle of some adults, adding that they should continue to stand up for the truth at all times. President Mills commended teachers on their invaluable roles in molding children into future leaders. The Head of State presented Christmas gifts to the pupils. Mrs Betty Mould- Iddrisu, Minister of Education announced that Government is organising free extra classes for schools in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions to help improve the performance of pupils at next year�s Basic Education Certificate Examination. She said after the distribution of free school uniforms, pupils in the three regions would be supplied with laptops to enhance Information Communication Technology education.