Ghana’s 68th Independence Day was celebrated by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) with a vibrant procession and an appeal for citizens to embrace a transparent and disciplined culture in order to enhance cleanliness and promote national progress.
Ten schools from throughout the city participated in the march past on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the City Hall forecourt. The event, which had as its subject “Reflect, Review, Reset,” included four senior high schools and six basic schools.
Saint Mary’s Basic School, Richard Akwei Basic School, Accra Sempe, Bubuashie and Wireless, Kaneshie Awudome 3, and Mamprobi Socco were among the participating schools.
Saint Mary’s Senior High School Cadet, Holy Trinity Cathedral Cadet, Accra Academy Cadet, and Accra Wesley Girls were the others.
Speaking to the audience, Mr. Douglas N.K. Annoful, the Metro Coordinating Director and Reviewing Officer, emphasized that without a shared commitment to responsibility, discipline, and open governance—particularly in the area of environmental sanitation management—Ghana would not be able to make significant progress.
As the nation considers its path to independence, Mr. Annoful emphasized the importance of embracing a new mindset that places a premium on honesty, order, and group advancement, especially in the areas of public health and sanitation.
It was unfortunate, he said, that Ghana had not achieved as much progress in economic and social development, including sanitation, as it had in political administration and stability since winning independence 68 years ago.
Mr. Annoful emphasized the need for inhabitants to adopt safe environmental health practices, pointing out that the reset agenda would not be successful if people’s health requirements were not met.
“As we all know, our reset agenda cannot achieve the desired result without carefully safeguarding the health needs of the people,” he said. “While the government takes the necessary steps to ensure the delivery of quality health services, we as a people, both young and old, should also embrace safe environmental health practices at all times.”
He warned against indiscriminate disposal of waste and open defecation, especially around beaches, urging residents to strictly adhere to disease prevention protocols.
“We need to avoid throwing waste at unauthorised places, engaging in open defecation, particularly around the beaches, and adhere strictly to disease prevention protocols,” Mr. Annoful admonished.
“It is time to adopt a culture of discipline, transparency, and accountability,” Mr. Annoful stressed, adding that “our actions and inactions over the years have directly or indirectly driven us far away from the aspirations of a self-rule and self-reliant state.”
According to him, citizens had a responsibility to ensure efficient management of national resources, which included preserving a clean and healthy environment, even as the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, worked to curb wastefulness, corruption, and other ineffective practices.
“As we meditate on our forward march as a nation, it is incumbent on us to be truthful to ourselves and review the way we have conducted our affairs over the years,” he remarked. “Public institutions must be held to higher standards of transparency and efficiency. The era of misplaced priorities and reckless spending must end if we aspire to build a Ghana that works for all and not just a select few.”
Speaking to schoolchildren, Mr. Annoful advised them to steer clear of activities that would hinder their growth and instead concentrate on developing into disciplined, responsible adults who would support cleanliness and the advancement of the country.
Emphasizing that “the country’s reset agenda also includes changing the mindset of the youth towards a disciplined society,” he also counseled the youth to embrace the potential that information and communication technology (ICT) offers while avoiding its negative effects.
After praising the contingents on parade for their outstanding performance, Mr. Annoful expressed his hope that they would develop into “responsible and useful citizens” who are dedicated to the ideals of Ghana’s ancestors.
“Let us use this Independence Day Celebration as a turning point in our history, to rise above our challenges and commit ourselves to building a Ghana that truly embodies the vision of our forefathers,” he added.
The Bank of Africa will create a Kids and Teens account for each recipient, requiring a GHS1,000 seed deposit.
Source: newsthemegh.com