At the Regional celebration of Ghana’s 66th Independence Day Anniversary held in Koforidua, the Regional capital, the Honourable Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong urged Ghanaians to count the many blessings and achievements chalked in the past 66 years of the country’s independence and not talk it down unnecessarily all the time, not-withstanding the country’s challenges, adding that, if for nothing at all, the nation has been spared with the awful experiences of civil wars that other countries on the continent have suffered.
Paying tribute the to the founding fathers of the nation for their hard work, Hon Acheampong said, Ghanaian were justified to celebrate the collective energies and sacrifices the forebearers made for the country’s independence and the freedom from the clutches of British imperialism, and the final achievement of the struggle of successive generations of Ghanaian patriots to establish a free, sovereign nation.
Highlighting on the theme for Ghana’s 66th Independence Anniversary; “our unity, our strength, our purpose”, Hon. Acheampong called on Ghanaians to think as one people, come together as one people, and work hard as one people to bring prosperity and progress to the country; emphasising that, “sustainable development in any society and country largely depends on the spirit of unity.”
Touching on the beauty of Ghana’s cultural diversity and the need to live peacefully and fulfilling life, Hon. Acheampong said, “Ghana is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society; It is a land of diversity, people of different religions, customs, cultures and traditions; We have different festivals, fashion and lifestyles; Despite all these variedness, Ghana remains one nation; it seems as if the whole country is bound with an invisible common thread.”
On politics, the President’s representative in the Eastern Region praised the various political parties and other stakeholders in the political environment for their contributions to the 31 years of uninterrupted period of stable and constitutional governance in the Fourth Republic, the longest in the history of the country.
He said, even though, the country’s political history might not always be the most edifying, the citizens should be proud and cherish the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution. He reiterated government under the leadership of the President’s commitment to make life better for the people in a more peaceful and stable environment.
Addressing Students and parents, Hon Acheampong affirmed government’s resolved to make education quality and accessible to all children of school going age through the Free Senior High School Policy and the implementation of other programmes such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET).
He therefore, advised the students to focus more on their studies, work hard to complete their chosen courses successfully to become responsible citizens in the future and eschew any form of indiscipline which has the potential of ruining that fruitful future.
In all, 36 contingents formed the parade under the command of Capt. R. B. Gyau and Capt L. Nagbija of Ghana Armed Forces. The contingents were made up 8 from the security services, 8 from School cadet, 5 Senior High School, 14 Basic school and a Special School from Koforidua School for Deaf. Awards were given to schools who distinguished themselves during the march pass. The overall best award went to New Juaben Senior High School.
Honouring the programme were the Paramount Chief of New Juaben Traditinal Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III and his elders, Nananom, Eminent Clergy, Hon. Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, Service Commanders, Heads Of Departments, Teachers, Hon. Assembly Members, Religious And Voluntary Organizations.
