KUMASI MARKS GHANA’S 68TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) marked Ghana’s 68thIndependence Day Anniversary on Thursday 6th March, 2025 at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi.
The Independence Day Anniversary Celebration was under the theme “REFLECT, REVIEW & RESET” and it was the maiden edition to beheld indoors, unlike the past once which were held at the Jubilee Park amid march past by school children and security services.
In a welcome speech, the Head of Planning and Statistics at the Metro Education Directorate, Ms. Judith Mensah-Panford who read on behalf of the Metro Director of Education, Mr. David Oppong said the theme for this year’s celebration was relevant because as a country we acknowledge the progress we have made and the challenges we have overcome.
She said we also recognize the opportunities that lie ahead and the role each one must play in shaping a brighter future for ourselves, the children, and the generation yet unborn.
Ms. Mensah-Panford noted that the government’s primary objective of this year’s anniversary celebration is to cut down the cost associated with the usual Independence Day celebrations in the country and that was why the celebration has taken a scaled down dimension.
She underscored the need of all to thank and commend His Excellency the President John Dramani Mahama and the government for taking the initiative.
Delivering his keynote address, Mr. Francis Dwira-Darko, Metro Coordinating Director who read on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene said the purpose of the gathering was to commemorate the 68th Anniversary of Ghana’s independence, to celebrate our freedom from the British colonialism, and to celebrate the final achievement of the struggle of successive generations of Ghanaians patriots to establish a free and sovereign Ghana.
He said the realization of our dreams and aspirations as a nation, makes the theme for this year’s celebration apt and appropriate, that is “Reflect, Review, Reset,” adding that the theme invites us to take a thoughtful journey through our past, assess our present, and chart a renewed course for our future.
He mentioned that reflection is a powerful tool that allows us to appreciate how far we have come and the sacrifices that were made from the struggles of our independence pioneers to the economic and political challenges we have faced.
He said reflection is not only about celebrating achievements but it was also about learning from our missteps and asking some critical questions
Mr. Dwira Darko explained that review is assessing the present after 68 years of independence and that we must critically examine where we stand today and the significant strides we have made in education, technology, healthcare, and infrastructure.
He said Ghana continues to be a beacon of democracy in Africa, with four (4) peaceful transfers of power in our land. He however noted that we cannot ignore the challenges such as youth unemployment, corruption, economic instability, and environmental degradation mainly in the area of illegal mining.
He noted that to reset means to recommit to our national vision with renewed energy and purpose, and also means making bold decisions that will set Ghana on a path of inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
He added that government must empower the youth with skills for the future, strengthen our institutions to fight corruption, and invest in technology and infrastructure to compete on the global stage.
“Let us reset our attitudes toward national development, choosing patriotism over division, hard work over shortcuts, and integrity over self-interest” he noted.
He mentioned that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the government has embarked on a bold and transformative journey to reshape the country’s governance structure by significantly reducing the number of ministers to sixty (60) including Deputy Ministers and Regional Ministers and realignment of some ministries and agencies.
The Regional Minister used the occasion to applaud the Metropolitan Education Directorate, Teachers and candidates of the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) and West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for their excellent performance.
He finally advised all Ghanaian, regardless of their political affiliation, background, or status, to play a key role in nation-building and work towards a complete reset of our country, saying “Let anew dawn of enthusiasm and renewal be supplanted in us.”
The chairman for the occasion was the Asemhene’s Akyeamehene Nana Opoku Agyeman Dwete, and the reviewing officer was the Kumasi Metropolitan Coordinating Director, Mr. Francis Dwira Darko.
Various category of Awards were later presented to some schools in the metropolis for their excellent performances.
Among the them were Opoku Ware School being the best WASSCE school for 2023, Uaddara Basic School being Best STEM school 2023, and St. Hubert Seminary SHS being winner of the 68th Independence Quiz2025.