By Solomon Gumah, GNA.
Tamale, March 7, GNA-The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly on Friday commemorated the 69th Independence Anniversary of Ghana with a colourful parade at the Jubilee Park in Tamale
The parade was used to call on citizens to reflect on the sacrifices of the nation’s forebears and to renew their commitment to national development.
The event brought together security commanders, traditional authorities, religious leaders, assembly members, heads of department, development partners, students and members of youth groups and associations.
A total of 13 schools made up of senior high; junior high and primary schools participated in the parade.
Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro, Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale, in his address described the occasion as a moment for Ghanaians to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers whose efforts led to Ghana attaining independence.
He said the anniversary should inspire citizens to take stock of how the country had been managed over the years and how best the nation could harness its resources to improve the wellbeing of its people.
He noted that although various governments had managed the country differently over the years, the current administration led by President John Dramani Mahama was pursuing a Reset Agenda aimed at repositioning the country for sustainable development.
He said the agenda called on citizens to reset their attitudes, strengthen patriotism and support government efforts to transform the economy and improve living conditions.
Alhaji Takoro said within a year and three months of office, the government had introduced reforms and investments to stabilise the economy and improve the education sector.
He said the government had strengthened the Students Loan Trust Fund and established a Northern Sector office in Tamale to ease the burden of tertiary education financing for students and their families.
Alhaji Takoro said the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly had also implemented several interventions to improve on infrastructure in basic schools across the metropolis.
He said the Assembly had procured and supplied 1,170 dual desks, 1,450 mono desks, and 480 tables and chairs for junior high schools to address furniture deficits.
He added that the Assembly had also initiated the construction of a six-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities at St Paul’s Basic School in Gumbihini, a three-unit classroom block at Datoyilli JHS, and a kindergarten block with office and store at Lamashegu South Primary School “B”.
“These interventions are geared towards improving access to quality basic education in the metropolis,” he said.
He commended residents of the metropolis and Ghanaians in general for supporting government policies and appealed to members of the public to continue to cooperate with the security agencies to maintain peace and order.
He expressed concern about the rising abuse of hard drugs among the youth in the metropolis, and said it contributed to increasing crime.
He therefore called on traditional authorities, religious leaders and community members to collaborate with the Metropolitan Security Council to combat the menace.
Alhaji Takoro also urged residents to actively participate in the government’s National Sanitation Day initiative by dedicating the first Saturday of every month to communal clean-up exercises to improve sanitation in their communities.
Mr Konlan Nelson, Tamale Metropolitan Director of the Ghana Education Service, advised students to take their studies seriously and cultivate a strong sense of patriotism to contribute to the country’s development.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/George-Ramsey Benamba