Osabarima Antwi Agyei V, Chief of Okadjakrom in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region, has called on Ghanaians, irrespective of the political affiliations or ethnic backgrounds, to unite and support government towards nation building. He observed that it was time for Ghana to lay a solid foundation for a sustainable economic growth and national development, to give meaning to the country's independence. Osabarima Agyei in an interview with GNA in Accra on Wednesday, on Ghana's 53rd independence anniversary, said: "the collective sacrifice of chiefs, farmers, workers, market women, teachers, students and the masses that resulted in the dismantling of British colonial rule remain relevant for the building of modern Ghana". He asked the people, particularly the youth, to be encouraged by the bravery and patriotism of Fredrick Adjetey, Private Odartey Lamptey and Corporal Atipoe, ex-military service men, who where killed in the "Christiansborg Cross-Roads Shooting", when they were marching to the Osu Castle to present grievances to the British colonial administration, and contribute to national development. Osabarima explained that "the event even though bloody and awful, was apparently the last straw that broke the camel's back and facilitated the struggle for Ghana's self-rule." He appealed to the country's leaders, especially politicians, to collectively find a lasting solution to the socio-economic problems facing the people. Osabarima said it was not enough for Ghana to be considered as a beacon of true democracy in the West African sub-region. He charged political authorities, irrespective of their political affiliations, to take practical steps to eliminate disease, ignorance, unemployment, poverty and illiteracy, to consummate the democratic credential. Osabarima Agyei noted that the powers of chiefs currently, have been limited but this should not prevent them from championing the development of their communities. He called on government to involve traditional rulers in the planning and execution of development projects, saying that "the British colonial government realised the significance of chieftaincy and relied on chiefs to administer as they mobilised the people for payment of taxes and execution of development projects". Osabarima Agyei appealed to the youth to refrain from chasing wealth and pleasure and take advantage of government interventions in education and harness their talents to unable them take care of themselves, and contributed to national development. He reminded them that "Only people who a prepared to acquire skills and knowledge can cope with the highly sophisticated and challenging world." Osabarima Agyei cautioned the youth against armed robbery, prostitution, alcoholism, arrogance, drug abuse and other social vices that could affect their progress. Source: GNA