President John Evans Atta Mills has reechoed his commitment to the “Better Ghana Agenda” as a programme to imbue the youth with a commitment to realise their full potentials. Addressing parades of students at the Independence Square on the occassion of Ghana's 53rd independence anniversary, President Mills urged Ghanaian youth to set educational goals as education is the only key to success in life. “The future of our beloved Ghana is in your hands and education is the key that will open the doors of the future. The future belongs to you. Be it in the area of; medicine, law, engineering, or entrepreneurship; education is the key that will unlock your potential and equip you with the capacity to take control of your destiny. That is why it is important that you work hard and set educational goals for yourselves,” he said. School, home investment President Mills reiterated the need for parents and teachers to instill in their children and students virtues that will built them into better citizens. He said the youth are the torch bearers to finding Ghana’s fortune but must be guided to be able to achieve that feat. “Teachers have a responsibility to inspire you; parents have a responsibility of making sure you stay on track and support your education; Government has the responsibility to set high educational standards by supporting teachers to give off their best, as well as providing the right atmosphere for teaching and learning. “At the end of the day, if you have the best teachers, have the most supportive parents, have a government that invests heavily in education, and you do not take advantage of the opportunities available to you, you will fail to benefit from the talents and potential God has given you. There are no shortcuts in life In reemphasizing the need for Ghanaian youth to pursue education to be able to contribute to the advancement of society, President Mills was quick to state that “there are no shortcuts in life.” According to him, although there will be impediments on the way, the young men of the country must work hard to achieve success for themselves and for their nation. “There will be hurdles you have to jump over; there will be challenges; there will be extremely tough times; but don’t be quitters. Winners are not quitters and quitters are not winners. In life, the race is not necessarily for the swiftest, but for the sturdiest,” the President said receiving roars of applause from the students. A feast with the President The President also plans to continue to dine with “morally upright” youth at the Castle, to drum home the need for them to be of good behaviour. “Personally, as happened this year, I will continue to play host well behaved pupils and students to drum home the fact that discipline is a trait that must be placed on a high pedestal. “Uphold virtue, morality and honesty and you will become great men and women of your time,” he urged. Perhaps the youth will continue to be at the centre of the Independence Day, especially under the Mills administration. This year’s event was marked with the youth in focus to ensuring that the youth appreciate the struggles and toils the founders of the country’s independence suffered. Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana