President John Evans Atta Mills has advised the youth against acts that are likely to jeopardise their future.
He said the youth were a �precious group� of the population and underscored the need for them to uphold the virtues and qualities that would enhance their living.
The President gave the advice at the third Presidential Children�s Encounter at the Castle Gardens, Osu in Accra, Monday.
Interacting with about 350 pupils selected from basic schools across the country, President Mills said, �Life is about discipline, truth, hard work, dedication and love for one another.�
The children were given the opportunity to ask the President questions that were bothering their minds.
President Mills advised the pupils to remind themselves that irrespective of their religious and ethnic backgrounds, they were Ghanaians and urged them to �always have that broad picture in mind and do a lot for the nation�.
�I wish to remind you of the values of hard work and devotion to duty and the need to always stand for the truth in whatever situation you may find yourselves,� he said.
He told the children that life was full of challenges which required determination, hard work and sacrifice to overcome and expressed the confidence that their parents and role models had inculcated those values in them.
The President used the opportunity to remind the children about next year�s elections and reiterated his administration�s determination to ensure that the polls were conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
�The people of Ghana want peace and stability and as we think about ourselves, we should think about Mother Ghana,� he said.
He lauded teachers for their sacrifice and devotion to the nation, particularly those who accepted posting to deprived areas, stressing that the government would meet their demands even in the face of numerous challenges.
He said although the government could not give teachers everything they asked for because of competing demands from other sectors, it would make sure that they received their rewards here on earth.
President Mills catalogued the measures put in place by his administration to improve the lives of Ghanaians, saying, �Next year you will see what we have done.�
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