Accra, Feb. 7, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday, presented some items to Nii Amon Kotei, designer of the National Coat of Arms, in Accra.

The items included, six bags each of rice and maize, six crates of soft drinks, six cartons of cooking oil and GH¢2,000 cash.

Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, who presented the items on behalf of President Mills, said it was necessary to honour individuals whose works and achievements had impacted on the society and country.

He noted that a country that did not honour its heroes and heroines was not worth dying for and that it was important to remember all those who helped in making the nation a better place to live.

Nii Ashietey said the presentation was to appreciate Nii Kotei's hard work and contribution towards the development of arts in the country. He observed that every individual was gifted with special talents by God; therefore it was the responsibility of parents, guardians, society and the nation to help develop them for national development.

Nii Okai Kotei, son of Nii Amon Kotei, on behalf of his father, expressed gratitude to President Mills for the recognition and appreciating the good works of his father.

Nii Amon Kotei was born on May 24, 1915, at La, a suburb of Accra, trained as a surveyor and later as a distinguished artist, designed the National Coat of Arms on March 4, 1957.