Ghana marked its 67th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule on Saturday with a colorful military parade at the Black Star Square in Accra, the capital city. The event was attended by thousands of citizens, dignitaries, and foreign guests, including the presidents of Nigeria, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.
The parade featured various units of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Fire Service, and other security agencies, as well as school children and cultural groups. The security personnel displayed their skills and equipment, such as tanks, armored vehicles, helicopters, and drones, to the admiration of the spectators.
The highlight of the ceremony was the speech by President Nana Akufo-Addo, who urged Ghanaians to unite and work hard to achieve the vision of the country’s founding father, Kwame Nkrumah. He said Ghana had made significant progress in democracy, peace, and development since gaining independence in 1957, but there was still more to be done to overcome the challenges of poverty, inequality, and corruption.
He also announced some of his government’s achievements and plans, such as the free senior high school policy, the digitization of public services, the expansion of infrastructure, the promotion of industrialization and agriculture, and the fight against COVID-19. He thanked the international community for their support and cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, investment, and security.
He also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is headquartered in Accra, and called for more integration and solidarity among African countries. He said Ghana was ready to play its role in advancing the interests and aspirations of the continent.
The ceremony ended with a fly-past by the Ghana Air Force and a march-past by the security personnel and the school children. The president and his guests then inspected the parade and waved to the cheering crowd.
The Independence Day celebration was also observed in other regions and districts of the country, with similar parades and cultural activities. Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, was the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from Britain on March 6, 1957. It has since become one of the most stable and prosperous countries in the region, with a vibrant democracy and a diverse culture.
Source: GhanaWeb
