unity with Ghana through sister relations between the northern sector
of their respective countries and the Upper East Region.The Governor
of Nahouri, Burkina Faso, Mr. Cornaille Blaise and the Paramount Chief
of Sankansi in Togo, Nagnango Abulaye who represented their countries
at the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Bolgatanga said Ghana was the
pace setter in democracy, peace and good Governance in the sub region
and they could learn much from working closely with her.Mr. Boniface
Gambila, Upper East Regional Minister recounted the works of great
people from the Region who had contributed much to the development of
the Region and the nation.He commended people like S.D. Dombo, C.K
Tededam and the first lady Member of Parliament (MP) in the Region
the, Hajia Agnes Salamatu MP for chiana and among others.
He asked the youth in the Region to emulate the past great heroes.
Mr. Gambila read the Independence Anniversary Address of the
President, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, which recounted the struggle for
Independence, and the role Ghana played as one of the first countries
in the sub region for the independence of the rest of Africa.
The President exhorted the youth to endeavour to stay in the
country to contribute their quota to the development of the nation
instead of traveling to other countries at the risk of their lives to
look for employment.
"Indeed this continent now provides a quick avenue to success
financially and emotionally than anywhere else. The future of this
continent is yours, it is your heritage and you must stay and be part
of building the well governed, economically vibrant nations as we all
aspire to", he added.The parade was attended by six contingents from
the security agencies including the Army, Police, Fire Service,
Immigration Service, Customs Excise and Preventive Service and the
Prisons Service led by Lieutenant Hadza Savior of the Army.
Fifty-three schools and voluntary organizations also took part in
the match with the Regional Minister taking the salute.
At Kpetoe, Several communities in the Adaklu-Anyigbe district
became virtual ghost towns as the people converged on Kpetoe, the
district capital on Tuesday March 6 to get the feel of celebrations to
climax the golden jubilee of Ghana's independence.
The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) Academy, venue
for the day's activities was jammed by both young and old long before
0900 hours leaving the Kpetoe town centre itself completely empty.The
crowd, resplendent in the national colours seemed to have had their
day as they were treated to cultural displays and renditions of
patriotic songs from brass band.The message from President J.A. Kufuor
cautioned the people from becoming complacent with the country's
achievements in the past 50 years.President Kufuor exhorted the youth
to seek to bring honour to the country and Africa in whatever do.
A colourful parade of basic and second cycle students, traders,
voluntary organisations and members of the Security Services marked
Ghana's 50th anniversary celebrations at Akyem Oda on Tuesday.
As early as 0800 hours the Akyem Oda Sports Stadium, the venue
for the event was filled to capacity with the enthusiastic crowd, some
wearing the anniversary shirts waving miniature flags.
Mr Frank Kwame Busumtwi, the District Chief Executive who read
the President's anniversary address appealed to the youth to stay at
home and to use their energies and enthusiasm to serve the nation.
"You will find that what we achieve together here will be far
more fulfilling than anything you can do elsewhere in the world".He
said the continent now provided a quicker avenue to success
financially and emotionally than anywhere else.
Mr Busumtwi said as the country celebrated 50 years of
independence and sovereignty, it was worthwhile to "remind ourselves
that freedom is a living flame to be constantly fuelled, and not a
monument to be saluted and revered occasionally".
"Ghana's freedom, indeed, Africa's freedom must be an eternal
flame to be continually fuelled by all our governments and peoples,
because it defines our humanity".
Koforidua, the proverbial City of Flowers was virtually paralyzed as
residents rested economic and other social activities in deference for
a spectacular fiesta held at the hastily constructed Jubilee Park in
commemoration of the nation's fiftieth independence anniversary. A
highly enthusiastic crowd hued in the national colours converged at
the Park , marched and danced to martial music provided by the Ghana
Immigration Service cum Ghana Army band.The New Juaben Youth Choir
provided a supporting role for the 73 contingents drawn from the 17
districts in the region as well as security and related services in a
show of oneness.The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah arrived
at the grounds to a tumultuous welcome resplendent in a kente cloth
and was conducted round by Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin Agbey of the
First Infantry Brigade of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He later took the salute as the crowd overcame by emotions,
cheered and danced to music at the choked park.It was a wonder how
things went into shape within the last twenty hours as some structures
were not even roofed by Monday.All adjoining spaces were filled up and
some daring youth were spotted clutched to trees to have a better view
of proceedings. Fast food vendors and iced water sellers had a field
day just as taxi drivers.Drivers of the Metro Transport Company
assisted in ferrying people free of charge from the Jackson's Park to
the Jubilee Park.Ghana Secondary School, Koforidua cadet corps emerged
the best in that group followed by that of Koforidua Secondary School
and Oda Secondary School respectively.
Yilo Krobo Secondary Commercial School came first in the
regular secondary institution division beating the Kukurantumi based
Ofori Panin Secondary and the Akropong-Akuapem Mount Sinai Secondary
Schools to second and third positions.For the basic schools category,
Methodist Schools in the New Juaben Municipality triumphed over
Anglican and Catholic basic schools.
06 March 07
