KUMASI CELEBRATES GHANA'S 67TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA)collaborated with the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) to join the rest of the country to observe Ghana's 67th Independence Day at the Jubilee Park., March 6, 2024.
The Independence Day parade was under the theme, "Our Democracy, Our Pride".
Captain Nana Agyenim Sarpong of Ghana Army, the parade commander said, the parade was comprising about 635contingents of personnel from the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and Ghana Customs Service.
The rest included KMA security guards, cadet’s corps from six senior high schools, and non-cadet from six senior high schools, and ten basic schools.
Prominent among hundreds of clergymen, Muslim leaders, politicians, traders, educationists, students, were the Ashanti Regional Minister, Honourable Simon-Mensah, Mayor of Kumasi, Honourable Samuel Pyne, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Frank Aborakwah (Esq),Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. Kwame Amankwah Appiah and regional security capos.
An educative and incisive poem on Ghana's democracy was splendidly recited in Asante-Twi by Nana Aba Asokuwaa Andoh, a pupil from the State Experimental Basic School, and was greeted with rapturous applause from everyone present at the Parade.
In his address at the Parade which was preceded by cultural dance performance from a group from the Centre for National Culture, Honourable Simon-Mensah stated that the theme for this year's parade: “Our Democracy, Our Pride", emphasised the importance of upholding and transmitting cherished national values to generations.
He underscored the need for collective pride in Ghanaian identity and values.
He said that, "If we are to take pride in being Ghanaian, there should be consensus on the values we hold dear, and we should transmit them to every generation".
The Ashanti Regional Minister further stated that there was the need for everyone to stay away from unguarded and unmeasured comments while acknowledging free speech in a democratic society.
He therefore urged Ghanaians to preserve and protect the gains from democracy, particularly, as Ghana was going to the polls in December to elect the next President and parliamentarians.
" Let's play our roles well and protect our democracy as we go to the polls in December for general elections to select our next President and Members of Parliament", he stated.
He congratulated His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for a successful 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War which forms part of the year-long Silver Jubilee Celebration.
In recognition of his contribution to the good of the Ashanti Region, and for being the longest serving regional minister, Hon. Osei-Mensah was given a Special Award by the ARCC, and this award was presented to him by Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, Bantamahene, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Independence Parade.
At end of parade procession, Armed Forces SHS was awarded for being the best school in the non- cadet among their peers who took part in the march, whiles Kumasi Wesley Girls SHS stood tall inthe cadet category with award.
Amakom Adventist JHS and Deeper Life Basic School were also awarded as best private school and best public school respectively.
In related development, Nsutaman Catholic SHS were rewarded for their heroic feat, after winning 2024 regional and national Independence Quiz.
Saint Hubert Seminary SHS were equally rewarded for being giants in 2024 regional and national Independence Debate.