The challenge is to lift Ghana out of underdevelopmentt -JAK

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday said the challenge facing Ghana was how to lift itself from the ranks of the underdeveloped nations to a middle-income one within the next decade.

He said this was not an impossible dream, but a realistic and achievable aspiration.

"All the ingredients for success are here, a well-endowed land, a population that is determined to succeed and a government that is ready to provide the needed leadership to inspire and lead from the front".

President Kufuor said this when delivering the 46th Independence Anniversary Address at a parade of security forces and school children at the Independence Square in Accra.

On parade were 30 contingents of the Ghana Armed Forces, Police, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, Prisons Service, Immigration Service and the Ghana National Fire Service and first and second cycle school children.

There were 51 officers and 1,000 men and women of the security services and 1,000 school children and students from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) in the Greater Accra Region.

The anniversary celebration was under the theme: "Peace and Unity - A Prerequisite for National Development".

The Ivorian President Laurent Gbabgo, who was the Special Guest of Honour, took the salute together with his host, President Kufuor.

Vice President Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, Members of the Council of State, Diplomatic Corps and chiefs were present.

Also at the Independence Square were Ivorian Premier Elimane Seydou Diarra, former Premier Dr Allasane Ouattara and leaders of all the other political groupings of Cote d'Ivoire, who are in Accra for a meeting to find lasting solution to the Ivorian crisis.

President Kufuor said to move the nation forward, it must be at peace and the people must be united because all the things Ghanaians craved for - good education, health, jobs, roads, modern communications and a safe and secured environment - required peace.

On Ghana's Independence, President Kufuor said the great hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers could only be realised when Ghanaians pulled together as a nation.

"Indeed the sacrifices that we need to make are much easier to bear when they are shared among a united people."

President Kufuor said to attract and retain investors in the country it was crucial to create and maintain a reputation as a stable and unified country.

He said the need for peace, unity and stability was beyond the confines of geographical boundaries, adding the entire Sub-Region must be peaceful to make the individual countries attractive investment destinations.

President Kufuor commended the school children and students for their smart turnout and said it was teamwork that made the parade successful.

"The future is yours, the habits you form today would influence your behaviour tomorrow. The training you are receiving from your schools equip you to be open minded, to reject the fears that come from ignorance and strengthen you to accept the challenges of modern life. Truly you give me hope that this nation has a bright future".

To the security agencies, President Kufuor said: "The parade was impressive and an opportunity to display what is best in you and openly show your commitment and loyalty to the state. I urge you to continue to be professional in your approach in all your undertakings".