"Build the resilience, the character and attitude you need for the future now and do not engage IN anything that could jeopardise your future successes and appointments as you walk through this youthful age", she added.

The CJ was speaking at the 'Chief Justice's Mentoring programme, initiated to expose school pupils to the functions of the Judiciary and instil in them virtues of patriotism and selflessness to country.

 The Mentorship programme under the theme, " I Pledge Myself to the Service of Ghana"  was to remind and build up the character of the current youthful generation on values of voluntarism, integrity and honesty, love for country as they matured into responsible adults.

The Mentorship programme brought together about 100 pupils and students selected from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and Ahanta West. Ms Josephine Nkrumah, the Director for the National Commission for Civic Education said the National Anthem and Pledge had a lot to offer in terms of values and virtues that all Ghanaians must aspire to be.

She stressed the need to commit to excellence as well as giving back to the beloved country, Ghana.   Nana Kobina Nketsia V, the Omanhene of the Essikado Traditional Area, said looking back at how society was degenerating had left him in despair, "I get depressed with myself and society... But we cannot let hope die also".

He said the Pledge was an important tool that must guard “our lives as a society, so we must not recite the pledge and live a life of hypocrisy". Nana Kobina Nketsia V therefore suggested that a week of recitals by all organised groups and students as well as the larger society must be instituted before “the celebration of Ghana’s Independence Day on the sixth of March, to remind Ghanaians on the need to uphold the toil and suffering of the founding fathers of the great motherland, Ghana.”