Members of Parliament have paid tribute to the founding fathers of the country and called on the present generation to work hard to improve upon the country’s achievements to ensure a better future for future generations. The MPs were contributing to a statement made on the floor of the House by the MP for Atwima Mponua, Mr Isaac Asiamah, on the 50th anniversary of the country and the entrenchment of multi-party democracy in Ghana. Mr Asiamah said the 50th anniversary celebrations should provide Ghanaians with an opportunity to soberly reflect on the country’s democratic path and make critical assessment to know its strengths and weaknesses. He said the interruptions of the country’s democratic evolution had impoverished the citizens and robbed them of their cherished livelihoods. “It is pertinent to observe that out of the 50 years that the country had been an independent entity, Ghanaians were for 21 years ruled by military dictators,” he said. He added that this notwithstanding, in the period between 1992 and now the country’s democracy had operated smoothly without any interruption. Mr Asiamah stated that improving the livelihoods of the people would only be sustainable in a peaceful, tranquil democratic environment and, therefore, called on Parliament to ensure that good laws were enacted to enhance the development of the country. He also advised that the Electoral Commission should be provided enough resources to enable it to perform its functions efficiently to enhance the country’s democratic dispensation. Contributing, the MP for Tamale Central, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, expressed his displeasure at the exclusion of other political parties in the organisation of the 50th anniversary celebration. He accused the government of practising “politics of exclusion”, which he said, did not augur well for the country’s democratic development. The MP for Nkawkaw, Mr Kwabena Adusah Okerchire, said in spite of the country’s problems, it had been able achieve a lot during the past 50 years. The MP for Odododiodoo, Nii Tackie Komme, said although it was a fact that Dr Kwame Nkrumah founded the country, other people played important roles before and after independence. He mentioned Ga chiefs such as Nii Kwabena Bonney, who led the 1948 boycott of foreign goods, Nii Tackie Komme, who made it possible for Dr Nkrumah to stand for election in Accra and the Okyenhene, Nana Ofori Atta, whose roles should be acknowledged. Graphic