Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo joined thousands of Ghanaians across the nation to mark the country’s 60th independence from Britain with parades.
While a national parade was held at the Black Stars Square where Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, declared the country’s independence, similar event took place at the regional and district capitals.
TV3’s Volta regional correspondent, Robert Abilba reports that at exactly 8:30am, a parade made up of eight contingents of the Ghana Army, the Police, Customs Division of the GRA, Fire Service, Immigration Service and the Prison Service as well as school children was formed at the Ho Jubilee Park.
Proceedings finally started at about 9:15 when the various Service commanders and the reviewing officer, the Volta Regional Minister arrived at the anniversary grounds.
The smartly dressed security service men treated the audience to slow and quick time march as they exhibited their skills to the admiration of the teaming crowd.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibalt Yao Letsa who reviewed the parade, called underscored the need for cooperation among Ghanaians to help accelerate Ghana’s development.
Some schools and individuals who distinguished themselves during the march pass received prizes and certificates.
Larry Paa Kwesi Moses reported from the Sunyani Jubilee Park that the celebration in the Brong Ahafo Region was characterized by impressive turnout.
A contingent of security personnel joined about 1,600 students and pupils drawn from 70 senior high, technical, vocational and junior high schools to mark the 60th independent day anniversary celebration in the Region.
The security personnel were made up of officers and men drawn from the Third Battalion liberation barracks, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Prisons Service and Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Euphoria filled the atmosphere as some apprentices and artisanal master craftsmen and women including hair dresses and dressmakers exhibited their talents in the march past.
Led by Captain Eric Kuntun Blankson, the parade commander, army band and the colour party from the third battalion stole the show when they demonstrated their military prowess, which received spontaneous cheers from the spectators.
Other cadet groups from selected senior high schools were also not left out from the march past as organisers gave them ample time to display their talents.
Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, who had earlier inspected the parade, commended the chiefs and people of the region, noting with their unflinching support, his administration would ensure rapid socio-economic growth and development.
He emphasised that since traditional rulers are the embodiment of the people, the government would make regular contact with them in identifying and addressing the immediate needs of the people.
Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh who read his personnel address before delivering that of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, advised the people to make peace a priority by burying their political differences and forge ahead in unity for development to thrive.
Awards were presented to deserving schools and individual students and pupils who distinguish themselves in the march past.
Sunyani Senior High School (SUSEC) was adjudged the best in the SHS category of the march past followed by Oxford SHS with St James SHS and Seminary emerging third position.
At the JHS level, SUSEC model Preparatory School emerged first, while Ridge Experimental B came second with Rapid Preparatory placing third.
SUSEC Model School placed first at the basic level, followed Bishop Leman and St. Vitus primary
A contingent of security personnel joined about 966 students and pupils drawn from some Senior High, Technical, and Junior high schools to mark the 60th independence day anniversary celebration, held at the Jubilee Park in Cape coast , Thomas Cann reported
The Regional Minister, kwamina Duncun who earlier took salute from the security and school children who participated in the parade, commended the chiefs and people of the region for their continuous support for the region and the nation.
He paid tribute to some illustrious indigenes from the region who fought hard to contribute to Ghana’s independence.
Mr Duncun emphasised the need also all Ghanaians, especially children and the youth who are the future leaders, to aspire to greater heights to help in the country’s development .
Awards were presented to deserving schools and students and pupils who distinguish themselves in the march past as well those who participated in writing and reading competitions.
Wesley Girls High School was adjudged SHSs category of the march past followed by Academy of Christ the king SHS.
The Ghana police basic school emerged first position at the JHS category.
From the Northern Region, a total of 27 schools consisting of basic, junior and senior high schools in the Tamale Metropolis formed the parade for the celebration, Zubaida Ismail reported from Tamale.
Also part of the parade were six contingents consisting of Ghana Army which consisted of officers from the 6BN and Bawah Barracks in northern region, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service and cadet Corps from some senior high schools within and six voluntary organizations in the Tamale Metropolis.
The almost three-hour parade saw the various security services marched to salute the Northern Regional Minister Saeed Salifu.
The parade started with a poetry recitation by a pupil from the Zogbeli Basic School, cultural dance, taekwondo and acrobatic performances.
The Regional Minister in his address cautioned trouble-makers to desist from fomenting trouble and warned possible violators to be prepared to face the law.
He stated government will not allow the actions of few people to draw the country back.
The minister seized the opportunity to thank stakeholders for opening their doors to him since his arrival and assumption of office about two weeks ago.
Connect FM’s Peters….reported from the Western Region a total of 28 schools consisting of basic, junior and senior high schools from Sekondi/Takoradi as well as three school cardet corps, eight security services which includes the Navy, Police, Fire, Immigration, Customs, Airforce, Arrmy and CEPS took part in the parade.
They joined members of the general public as well as the traditional rulers and clergy to mark the anniversary parade that took place at the Takoradi Jubilee Park.
The contingents attracted the admiration of the gathering amidst applause after spectacular marching display.
The Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, and the Regional Director of Education parade.
In his address, Dr. Afriyie noted Ghana has failed to reap the economic dividend of our independence, 60 years after.
He said Ghanaians have run out of excuses hence it is time to mobilise to quicken the pace of our development.
Awards were then presented to deserving schools and students who distinguished themselves in the march past as well as the BECE and WASSCE.
A special award was also presented to Master Hassan Mickel a former student of Ghana Secondary Technical School [GSTS] who was the 2014 overall best WASSCE student in Ghana and West Africa.
At the Jackson’s park in the eastern region Yvonne Neequaye reports the excitement from residents towards the 6th March parade was high.
Ms Yvonne Neequaye reported from the Eastern Region that parade to mark the anniversary in Koforidua was made up of 1,599 school children drawn from basic and second cycle Institutions as well as eight contingents from the security services.
With a feel of patriotism, they marched swinging arms in full gear to signify a nation’s 60 years.
The security services took the opportunity to also display their armoury and other gadgets.
The thick crowd was elated.
The Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Daffour , who was also the reviewing officer, led proceedings and presented the presidential address.
He underscored the need to be united and forged ahead in nation development.
On the environment he regretted we were fast losing plants , tress species and fauna and asked that it be preserved and managed to good use.
Pupils from Souls Harbour Basic School performed gymnastics display ,whiles deserving students were awarded for the day.
A total of seven contingents comprising 200 men joined 1,700 school children in the march past parade to mark the 60th anniversary celebration in Wa in the Upper West Region, Yakubu Abdul-Gafur reported .
The contingents included the Ghana prison service, the Ghana Police Service, the Immigration Service, the Ghana National fire Service and other security services.
The 1,700 school children were from 21 primary schools, 18 junior high schools, 11 senior high schools, five cadets corps and three special schools within the Wa municipality.
Deserving schools were awarded for their immense contribution to the success of the anniversary.
Addressing the parade, the upper West Regional Minister Alhassan Sulemana Ghanaians to work hard to ensure that the country develops.