By Iddi Yire
Accra, March 06, GNA – 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
The modest event on the theme “Reflect Review and Reset”, was attended by key dignitaries such as Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor.
There were cultural performances and poetry recitals by school children.
The change in the usual venue of the Independence Square to the forecourt of the Presidency according to the Government was to save cost.
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 that the Ghana News Agency spotted at the function include 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; Mr George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment.
Others are Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minister for the Interior; Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness.
Also in attendance were leading figures of the 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).
In addition, chiefs, the clergy and members of the diplomatic community were in attendance.
GNA