Accra, Dec. 23, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday thanked Ghanaians for their support throughout the year saying he believes that "together, we will build the Better Ghana we desire".

"It is my prayer that the coming year will open a more advanced page in our book of building a Better Ghana," President Mills said in his Christm= as message. He noted that after a lot of hard work throughout the year, this was the time to take some rest, spend time with family and friends, take stock, measure the positives against the negatives and resolve to move forward in the right direction.

President Mills said although this was a time for merry making, it was important that we did so in a measured manner lest we got drowned in the downsides of excessive merry making. He said for Christians, it was a time to give and share the little that they had.

"It is said that there is more blessing in giving so let us give so that the Good Lord will not withhold his blessings from us." President Mills cautioned those who would be doing a lot of travelling on the roads that they should endeavour to stick to speed limits and obey road signs so that they would reach their destinations alive

He told commercial drivers that as they desired to make the best out of the travelling season, it should not be done at the expense of human lives.

"Every Ghanaian life is important so let us not grieve the soul of the nation with the unnecessary loss of precious lives," President Mills said= .. He also had warm words for those in hospitals saying, 93My heart is with those of us, especially children, who are spending this Christmas in hospital; I wish you a speedy recovery." President Mills sent a word of encouragement to Ghanaian troops on peacekeeping missions abroad, saying 93I want them to know that the nation continues to pray for their safe return home to their families." His message to those serving time in prisons was: 93...May the redemptive message of the birth of Christ be the beginning of your rebirth so you let go of the past and cling on to a new and virtuous way of life.= "