President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday asked for national support to encourage the youth to increase the spirit of voluntarism and seek worthwhile adventure to prepare them for future leadership positions.
He also asked the youth to work harder to complement the efforts of the Government to push the nation forward.
President Mills made the call in an address on his behalf by Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Retired), National Security Adviser at this year's Gold Award Presentation of the Ghana Head of State Award Scheme held at the State House in Accra.
President Mills expressed the need to equip the youth with knowledge and skills to overcome the challenges in the current age of technological transformation.
The Head of State Award Scheme - Ghana is a programme of holistic growth through the creative use of leisure time activity.
The Award programme offers young people a challenge to the body, mind and spirit. It also offers individual choices of activities, bringing joy and achievement and growth.
It teaches perseverance to participants through its requirements of time spent on each activity and seeks to maximize the potential of young people so that they may contribute effectively to society and nation.
Open to young people from the ages of 14 to 25 years, the Award Scheme requires participants to complete a balanced programme of non-competitive activities under five sections of Skills and Interest; Physical Recreation;
Adventurous Journey; Service to the Community and Residential Project.
President Mills paid tribute to the founding fathers of the nation for their toils and said it was now time for the youth to follow the sacrifices of the nation's founders with more hard work and a voluntary spirit.
He reiterated Government's objective to impact positively on the lives of the youth and keep them in the National Youth Employment Scheme and keep them active in productive ventures.
President Mills urged the youth to take advantage of the Government's programmes and policies to enhance their lot and to improve on their skills.
About 100 youth from various educational institutions and youth oriented associations were given certificates and citations.
Mr George Akornor, formerly of the Achimota Senior High School and the University of Ghana, a former beneficiary, said participation in the scheme had since helped him to assume leadership positions.