President John Dramani Mahama has urged the youth to take charge of Ghana’s economic future and lead the country towards self-sufficiency.

He made the call on Thursday during the 68th Independence Day parade in Accra.

"Young Ghanaians must step up to the plate, seize these opportunities, and contribute to building a self-sufficient nation. Ghana's economic future is in your hands,” he said.

He noted that the success of his administration's policies like the AgriNext programme would depend on citizen participation, particularly the youth.

“The AgriNext programme will equip 30,000 young people with land, training, and agribusiness opportunities,” he explained.

According to the president, his administration is implementing a 24-hour economy programme to ensure that "our economy never goes to sleep. This will allow us to create the necessary job expansion, boost productivity, increase our export capacity and trade footprint, and also reduce our dependence on foreign aid."

He said the $10 billion big push initiative would also modernise Ghana’s infrastructure, create jobs, and stimulate local industry,

“This will be ensuring that our development is driven from within rather than funded from outside," he added.

He noted that agriculture remains Ghana's biggest opportunity to reduce import dependence.

"With over $2 billion spent annually on food imports, the Agriculture for Economic Transformation agenda is structured to strengthen local agribusiness and ensure food security," he said.

He added that the Feed Ghana programme would drive mass food production and stabilise prices.

“The Poultry Farm to Table initiative will boost domestic poultry production and processing to directly address our 95% reliance on imported poultry products," the President stated.

According to the President, the 68th Independence Day parade was held at the forecourt of the Presidency instead of the traditional Black Star Square to save costs.

"In a year when we are calling on all to sacrifice, including workers who have graciously accepted a base-pay adjustment far below the rate of inflation, it is unconscionable to spend that kind of money on a few hours of celebration."

As the nation approaches its 70th independence anniversary in two years, President Mahama called for unity and determination.

"Let us reflect on the great movements that have transformed the world, the movements that have liberated us from the bonds of colonialism and the voices that shaped our path to democratic rule. Before these, people thought it was impossible," he said.

Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah