The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaru Sissoco Embalo, has commended Ghana for playing a leading role in the independence struggle on the African continent.
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He said the exceptional leadership demonstrated by Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, gave hope to many African countries in the independence struggle.
Yesterday, Mr. Embalo, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said Ghana remained a powerful force Africa looked to for democratic administration at the 66th Independence Day celebration at Adaklu Tsrefe, close to Ho in the Volta Region.
President Embalo, the event’s special guest, declared that Nkrumah’s legacy is still relevant for all of Africa.
He continued by saying that Ghana’s assistance in Guinea-democratic Bissau’s transition was still appreciated by its citizens.
President Embalo stated that his nation looked forward to further bilateral cooperation with Ghana to advance the social development and welfare of their respective populations.
“Our unity, our power, our purpose” was the theme of the event.
The special visitor expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Independence Day festivities, noting that Ghana continued to stand up and valiantly pursue the independence of the African continent.
People from all walks of life arrived at the venue well before sunrise as the celebration proceeded on a carnival-like vibe.
Soon after 10 a.m., President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo arrived at the location, and as he lighted the eternal flame, the throng erupted in jubilation.
A exciting cultural program was also presented that day, and chiefs from more than 50 paramountcies in the area were among those in attendance.
Among them were the Chairman of the Council of State and Omanhene of the Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Siriboe II; the President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Anfoega, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV; the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, the Awomefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri II; the Paramount Chief of Adaklu, Togbe Gbogbi Atsa V; the Paramount Chief of Ziavi, Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, and the Paramount Chief of Klefe, Togbe Kwaku Dzaga.
As the people gathered there to celebrate Ghana’s 66th anniversary of independence, the security services presented them to an artistic show of skills and exercises at the Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu Tsrefe, close to Ho, the capital of the Volta region.
Following several drills, the 20 contingents from various security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and National Ambulance Service (NAS), participated in a quick match past.
To the admiration of onlookers, the GAF in particular did more drills and demonstrated crucial abilities, including dangerous rescue operations and acrobatic displays.
Together with the security services, 14 senior high and elementary schools were chosen to participate in the march past at the center.
Soldiers from the GAF’s physical training school, located at the El-Wak Barracks, opened the security displays.
They performed rescue drills and physical fitness demonstrations.
The officers performed a variety of ground exercises under the direction of Lieutenant Paa Kwesi Owusu of the 66 Regiment, including forehead springs, dive and rolls in pairs, running hand springs, staggered dive and rolls, front somersaults in pairs, as well as individual abilities.
The soldiers’ dive and somersault through the loop with flames of fire surrounding it was the most breathtaking moment for the crowd.
The squad also performed gymnastic routines, such as a pyramid configuration.
To top it off, the Special Force Unit of the GAF deployed ground forces to back an air assault squad during a fictitious dangerous mission to rescue a government appointee from terrorists who are demanding a huge ransom.
To carry out the rescue drill, roughly 10 rescuers including Hazy, a Belgian shepherd dog, rappelled from a helicopter that was suspended about 70 meters above the ground.
Along with the gymnastics, the security services displayed high-tech firearms, armored vehicles, firefighting tools, helicopters, motorbikes for better visibility, and other resources to show that they could carry out their duties.
Together with crowd control vehicles, three helicopters, and new units like the Canine Unit and the Formed Police Unit, the Ghana Police Service also displayed some equipment.
A fighter jet’s fly-bys signaled the end of the parade and the President’s invitation to deliver the anniversary speech, followed by a 21-gun salute from the GAF.
The gun salute was fired amid applause from the audience while patriotic songs played in the background.
Security personnel had a difficult time managing the crowd at the event since cars and people jostled for space at the location. Nonetheless, there were no adverse incidents.
