Umaru Sissoco Embalo, the president of Guinea-Bissau, has praised Ghana for taking the lead in the continent's quest for independence.
He claimed that Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, inspired numerous African nations to continue their fight for independence because of his outstanding leadership qualities.
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 noted that Ghana's assistance for Guinea-development Bissau was still appreciated by its citizens. Umaru Sissoco Embalo, the president of Guinea-Bissau, has praised Ghana for taking the lead in the continent's quest for independence.
He claimed that Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president, inspired numerous African nations to continue their fight for independence because of his outstanding leadership qualities.
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 noted that Ghana's assistance for Guinea-development Bissau was still appreciated by its citizens.
The day also featured exhilarating cultural demonstrations, with chiefs from more than 50 paramountcies in the region and others attending.
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.
Actions taking place locally
The Youth Resource Centre at Adaklu Tsrefe, near Ho, the Volta regional capital, was a sight to see as the security services entertained members of the public who congregated there for Ghana's 66th Independence anniversary to artistic show skills and exercises.
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 astonishment of onlookers, the GAF in particular did additional 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 centre.
Displays
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 couples, running handsprings in pairs, staggered dive and rolls, front somersaults in pairs, as well as solo talents.
The soldiers' dive and somersault around the loop with flames of fire surrounding it was the most stunning moment of the crowd.
The squad also performed gymnastic routines, such as a pyramid configuration.
As if that weren't enough, the GAF's Special Forces Unit upped the ante by deploying ground forces to assist an air assault squad on a fictitious dangerous operation to rescue a government nominee 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 metres above the ground.
Equipment
Together with the gymnastics, the security services displayed high-tech firearms, armoured 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.
Flypasts by a fighter aircraft followed a 21-gun salute by the GAF, signalling the conclusion of the parade and the President's invitation to make the anniversary address.
With patriotic music as a background, the cannon salute was heard amid shouts from the crowd.
Security staff had a difficult time managing the throng at the event since cars and people jostled for space at the location. Nonetheless, there were no adverse incidents.