Accra, Jan. 1, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has asked Ghanaians to forge a united front and rally solidly behind Government to build on the solid foundation laid in 2009 for national prosperity. He gave glory to Almighty God for his protection of Ghanaians as individuals and a nation, describing the previous year as the most critical one in the history of Ghana.

In a New Year Message to Ghanaians, President Mills gave hope to the citizenry, and gave the assurance that Government was more than convinced of its ability to transform the county.

President Mills said Government was in a better position to create jobs, invest in people, expand the frontiers of democracy and also to move the nation in the right direction in an open, honest and transparent manner. The President reminded Ghanaians that the year 2010 was the second year in a four-year journey for his Presidency and that there would be challenges. He stressed the need for hardwork, strong faith and determination to turn the challenges into opportunities.

"Let's forge ahead in unity," President Mills said, stressing that faith and commitment are national ideals for a brighter future. The President urged the youth to be inspired by the shining example of the victorious national under-20 football team, the Black Satellites, and to emulate their "sheer determination and the willingness to die for the nation. "This is the kind of spirit which should move us in whatever we do," President Mills said. He encouraged the Senior National Team, the Black Stars to be guided by the performance of the Black Satellites as they approached their continental assignment in Angola 2010 and at the World Cup tournament in South Africa. President Mills urged Ghanaians to rally a solid support for the Black Stars in their determination to lift the flag of Ghana high in their assignments.

As the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, President Mills paid tribute to Ghana's police personnel on peacekeeping assignment, and praised them for their sacrifices at a time when they should be with their families.

He wished Ghanaians a fruitful and fulfilling New Year, and invoked divine blessings for Ghanaians as he repeated the words of the National Anthem " God Bless Our Homeland Ghana," and make the nation Greater and Stronger.

God, the President said, should grant Ghanaians freedom, make them fearless, stressing the need for honesty as Ghanaians conducted their affairs in the New Year.