GHANA’S 62ND INDECE ANNIVERSARY LEAVES INDELIBLE MARK IN UPPER EAST 6th March, 2019
An
indelible mark is made in history in the life of the Upper East Region as the
region has for the first time, celebrated Ghana’s annual independence
anniversary outside Bolgatanga, the Regional Capital.
 |
| Hon. Paulina P. Abayage, UE Regional delivering her address |
This comes
on the background of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s historic instruction
that, the country’s national parade and celebrations of its 62nd
independence anniversary be held in the Northern Regional capital of Tamale.
For the past 61 years, Ghana’s national capital of Accra always hosted the
country’s national celebrations of its independence anniversary.
So
therefore in like manner, Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Paulina Patience
Abayage also addressed a colourful parade of school children and personnel from
the various security agencies at a regional parade and celebrations of the
country’s independence anniversary hosted by the Bongo District on 6th
March, 2019 under the theme, “Celebrating Peace and Unity”.
The
Regional Minister in her anniversary address, mentioned for emphasis and
special recognition, the names of Joseph Boakye Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,
William Ofori Atta, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei and Emmanuel
Obtsebi-Lamptey as selfless and patriotic Ghanaian fore-bearers whose diverse
efforts and sacrifices laid the very foundation for “our independence as a
country”. She stated that, Ghana will forever owe un-ending gratitude to these
aforementioned great men and their families for “we do not want to be a country
that doesn’t honour her heroes and heroines”.
Hon.
Abayage accordingly charged the Ghanaian citizenry to strive hard in their
individual duties and roles in the public and civil service as well as in
business adding that, those that do exceptionally well in their chosen fields
will never be forgotten by posterity. She observed that “during the
independence struggles, Ghana was able to surmount all the impediments because
the ordinary citizens bought into the vision of the leaders and supported them
whole-heartedly”. She said this then implies that, the current crop of
Ghanaians ought to associate with and commit themselves to the vision of
President Nana Addo, for it is only when this mutual bond is created that Ghana
can achieve meaningful development and progress.
The
Regional Minister also observed that Ghana’s principles of democracy, rule of
law and justice for all originate from the country’s cultural beliefs as a
nation. According to her, these principles which also stem from traditional
African beliefs, existed long before any colonizers arrived at the country’s
shores. She therefore cautioned that “any digression from these core African
values will place our country in jeopardy”.
Hon.
Abayage’s address also touched on the canker of indiscipline and related bad
social attitudes as she appealed to parents, teachers and other critical
stakeholders to join the crusade of spreading the message of honesty,
tolerance, peace and harmony among families, society and the country as a
whole. She said it was not enough for teachers, religious leaders and traditional
leaders among other stakeholders to only preach virtues, but they must be seen
to practice them and serve as good role models for children and for the
community. She also charged assembly members, parents and school management
committee members to visit schools at regular intervals to encourage
authorities and students in their academic work.
 |
| School children on the march past |
She said
after 62 years of independence, it was incumbent on Ghanaians to distant
themselves from ideas, attitudes and practices that had the tendency to undo
the progress that the country had made over the decades. Though she
acknowledged that amidst the progress there were still a few bottlenecks, she
entreated all and sundry to meet on a common ground and with commitment and
oneness of purpose, find long-lasting solutions to these problems. She noted
for instance that, President Nana Addo’s transformation agenda for Ghana
through flagship programmes such as the one village - one dam, the free Senior
High School programme, the Planting for Food and Jobs programme among other
interventions, will all suffer set-backs if everyone “sits on the fence”.
Upper East
Regional Director of Education, Mr. Augustine A. Ayirezang in his welcome
address earlier, urged educational managers to use the school environment to
promote peace and unity by involving the students and staff in decision making
in the school governance system at all levels. He however called on the
authorities to be fair but firm when taking decisions.
 |
| UE Regional GES Director, Mr. Augustine Ayirezang speaking at the event |
He also
cautioned students against drug abuse as the practice only goes to impair their
learning faculties and derail their academic careers. He warned students
against unwarranted demonstrations and destruction of school property at the
least provocation stressing that “being youth is not tantamount to hooliganism”.
Close to
1,230 students from 11 Primary Schools, 20 Junior High Schools and 10
Community/Public Senior High Schools participated in this year’s Upper East
Regional celebration of Ghana’s independence anniversary parade. Meanwhile,
five contingents composed of 30 officers each from the security agencies
including the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana
Prisons, Ghana National Fire Service and the Air Borne Force Detachment also
partook in the march past.
Comments