By Emmanuella Owusu, GNA
Tema, March 05, GNA — About 700 kindergarten pupils from 17 public and private schools in the Tema Metropolis have participated in a special kiddy march past to commemorate Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary.
The event, organised ahead of the national celebration, brought together children aged between four and six years in a colourful display of patriotism and national pride.
The exercise was aimed at introducing the young learners to Ghana’s history and fostering a sense of national identity and civic responsibility from an early age.
Mrs Bernice Ofori, Tema Metropolitan Director of Education, said the celebration was not merely a ceremonial parade but an opportunity to nurture the future leaders of the nation.
She explained that the march past was designed to instill values of patriotism, discipline and national consciousness in the children.
Mrs Ofori said the directorate deliberately created a platform for kindergarten pupils to actively participate in the Independence Day celebrations rather than only watching such events on television.
She noted that the initiative would help bridge the gap between learning about national history in the classroom and experiencing it through practical activities.
Mrs Ofori said the event aligned with the national theme for the anniversary celebration, “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope”, adding that education remained the foundation for Ghana’s transformation.
She encouraged the pupils to grow up with a strong love for the nation and contribute positively to its development in the future.
Addressing concerns about the welfare of the children during the event, Mrs Ofori assured parents that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the comfort and safety of the learners.
She said canopies and chairs were provided to keep the children in the shade, and the programme was intentionally kept brief to suit their age and attention span.
Mrs Ofori also advised pupils who would not participate in the main Independence Day celebrations to watch the event on television or join their communities to cheer on their peers.
She cautioned them against engaging in unsafe activities such as visiting beaches without adult supervision during the holiday.
The Education Director said the celebration symbolised hope for the nation’s future, noting that Ghana’s prosperity depended on nurturing the young generation.
“This is a call to action and a vision for our future leaders. Prosperity begins with these children,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Benjamin Mensah