CULTURAL NEWS
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Golden Jubilee Freedom Flame
begin journey from Upper West
From: MATTEW AYOO, Wa
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Ambrose Dery, on Monday lit the Jubilee Flame here as one of the major events marking the 50th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s Independence.
The flame, dubbed “Freedom Flame” ignited at the forecourt of the Regional Co-ordinating Council in the Wa municipality was taken through the principal streets of Wa before departing for Bolgatanga, the Upper East capital.
The flame which would be taken through all the regional capitals of the country is expected to cover a distance of about 2,600 kilometres and would take 15 days to reach Accra, the national capital.
It attracted a large number of school children drawn from various First and Second Cycle Institutions, Departmental Heads, Traditional Rulers, and Regional Leaders including the Catholic Bishop of Wa, the Most Reverend Dr. Paul Bemile.
In a speech to mark the occasion, the Regional Minister, Mr. Dery described the event as historic and urged all Ghanaians to bury all differences and join hands to make the 50th Anniversary celebrations a success.
He said Ghanaians have an obligation to develop the country to a level that would give hope to all citizens, especially the future.
Mr. Dery said the Freedom Flame signifies the unity of purpose of the country and called on Ghanaians to soberly reflect on achievements made by the fore-fathers of the nation and unite for peace and prosperity.
The Regional Minister called on all Ghanaians to defend the constitution which guarantees the freedom of the people at all times, adding “the Freedom Flame is to lead us into the future and urged all to participate in the event to make it a success”.
The event which was organized by Virgin Nigerian Airliners, Total and Toyota, Ghana was originally scheduled for February 12, but was postponed at the instance of the National Secretariat of Ghana at 50.
*Source
The Ghanaian Times - Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Page 19 |