Accra, March 6, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills says even though he would not engage in political vendetta any violation of the laws of Ghana would be addressed appropriately. He said the Ghanaian way should be the rule of law and any violations of the laws of Ghana would be addressed in a manner that was fair, balanced and right in the sight of God.

President Mills, who was speaking after inspecting a parade of security personnel and school pupils at the Independence Square in Accra to mark the 52nd Independence, dwelt on the anniversary's theme; "Unity and Peace: Pillars for National Development." He said he would not condone actions that would pitch one citizen against the other as a way of settling political scores and asked political leaders to recognise that what they said or failed to say to their followers made a lot of difference in how followers conducted themselves in the national discourse. He said a contrite heart was more valued and a better example than arrogance, bluster and confrontation.

President Mills said: "As a people, our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to the ideals that unite rather than divide us and have attached ourselves to a common sense of purpose." President Mills urged Ghanaians to reflect on the legacies that the forebears bequeathed the nation; what they had added to that legacy and to commit themselves to leaving a solid legacy for generations. The President observed that Ghana was blessed with so much and said the quality of the nation's human resources exemplified the nation's huge potential.

President Mills said Government would collaborate with organized labour, the business community and industry, and also count on the goodwill and understanding of all Ghanaians as it engaged them in a more civil and collaborative manner to build a kind of a better Ghana all Ghanaians wanted. "Our aim is to strengthen Ghana's position as a magnet for investment in productive ventures for our youth," the President said, adding, "we aim for efficiency in our governance process and for creating a business climate that will rank very high." The President crowd made up of top Government officials, politicians, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional leaders, and a cross-section of Ghanaians that the Government would focus on the things that mattered and which would enable the economy to recover some degree of stability.

President Mills paid homage to the sons and daughters of Ghana, whose vision and tenacity of purpose won Ghana its independence, the foremost among them being Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah First President of Ghana. Dr Nkrumah left an indelible impression on world history and was chosen as the topmost African Personality of the 20th Century at the end of the last millennium, he said. The President congratulated the Parade Commander, Officers and Men of the security agencies, the pupils and identifiable groups for their smart turn out. "On behalf of the government, I congratulate all of us for being part of this 52nd Independence Day celebration and my prayer is we will all resolve to commit our selves to building a Better Ghana," President

Mills said. The President, sporting a three-piece cream agbada, arrived at 0830 in an open-top car to a waiting and orderly contingent of the security services and school children ready for the anniversary march past. Sounds of the horses in the cavalcade that escorted the President gave way to cheers from the crowd before he took his seat on the presidential dais, after which the Police played the National Anthem, which was followed by recitation the National Pledge by the people. After Christian and Muslim prayers, which called for national peace and prosperity were said, President Mills inspected the parade and later lit the perpetual flame at the cenotaph of the "Unknown Soldier", the lighting of which symbolically reminds Ghanaians of their responsibilities toward the nation, and the need to keep the flame of independence burning.