Accra: President John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, on Thursday, March 6, led Ghanaians to mark Ghana's 68th Independence Anniversary with a military parade at the forecourt of the Presidency in Accra. Former President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania was the special guest of honour at the event.
According to Ghana News Agency, the modest event, themed 'Reflect Review and Reset', was attended by key dignitaries such as Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and former Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor. The celebration included cultural performances and poetry recitals by school children. The change in the usual venue from Independence Square to the forecourt of the Presidency was, according to the Government, to save costs.
Also in attendance were Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Nii Teiku Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse. Some Ministers of State spotted at the function included Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education; Mr. Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation; Dr. Dominic Akrutine Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; Madam Emelia Arthur, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Mr. George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment.
Others present were Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minister for the Interior; and Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness. Leading figures from various political parties, such as Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim Hussein, a former chairperson of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Dr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, a former Chairman of the NDC, and Mr. Bernard Mona, a former Chairman of the People's National Convention (PNC), also attended the event. Additionally, chiefs, the clergy, and members of the diplomatic community were present.
