BONO REGION MARKS 65TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY IN SUNYANI

March 7, 2022 Prince Paul Arthur 0

The people of Sunyani on Sunday 6^th March, 2022 celebrated Ghana’s 65^th anniversary after attaining independence from the British colonial rule in 1957 under the theme” Working together, bouncing back together”. This year the people of Sunyani were so enthusiastic to celebrate Ghana’s 65^th anniversary since the COVID 19 Pandemic prevented the entire nation from celebrating its 64^th Independence Day celebration.

This year’s celebration was crowned with a colourful parade and march pass composed of , eight (8) contingent of six (6) security services, and a total of forty five (45) schools; made up of 15 primary, 15 JHS ,10 SHS ,4 Student cadet corps and one special school from both private and public schools.

The celebration was spiced up with superb marching skills under the command of Army Officer Captain Andrews Opoku Addai of 3BN Infantry Battalion of the Liberation Barracks, Sunyani. The contingents marched pass the large crowd that observed the colorful ceremony with the admiration and applauds most especially the security services and Special students from Sunyani Nyamah Special School.

**School contingents at the match pass**

Madam Justina Owusu Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister paid tributes to our forefathers for their struggle and toil that ended the colonial rule of the British in the Gold Coast, now Ghana. “It is a day we remember and pay glowing tribute to the great sons and daughters of our land who dedicated their lives to see to the liberation of our dear nation”, she said.

She recalled the devastating effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic especially on the economy and how commercial activities had to be strictly regulated in order to contain the spread in the region. The Minster observed that coming out from Pandemic means there is a lot to be done, a lot to build and a country to develop. She therefore, called on all Ghanaians to shelve selfish interests and put on nationalistic cloaks and work together towards national development.

Speaking on the theme of the anniversary, “Working together; Bouncing Back Better”, Madam Justina Owusu Banahene noted that what is required as citizens is renewed commitment to the progress and wellbeing of the nation. “We must all come on board and give off our best, exhibit our patriotic zeal and a burning desire to let Ghana work again”. She emphasized.

**Hon. Justina Owusu Banahene, Bono Regional Minster delivering her speech at the ceremony**

Delving into the future of the next generation, the Minister observably asked, “What will our young generation say of as? Will they be proud that we worked and bounced back together to making a great nation? Will they remember that we put our individual and parochial interests aside and put shoulders to the wheel to build a resilient economy? Will they be grateful that Ghanaians came together to support the government through the payment of E-levy to provide essential revenue to rebound our economy?”

Madam Justina Owusu Banahene called for unity in diversity for the development of Ghana and humbly appealed to every Ghanaian to choose Ghana over any political party hatched or yet to be hatched since there is no other way to achieve a Ghana beyond Aid but, by joining hands together as Ghanaians.

Awards were presented to the three best performed schools after the March pass in the categories of primary, junior and senior high schools. Nyamah Special School received the ‘special’ award category. Award and citation was also given in honor of Mr. Franklin Odei Ntow for his contribution, exemplary and meritorious service to Bono Region.

**Bono Regional Minster presenting an award to Mr. Franklin Odei Ntow**

At the primary school category, the first award for best ‘Match Past” went to Ridge “C” Experimental School Ridge “D” Experimental and Police Experimental schools took the 2^nd and 3^rd awards respectively.

At the Junior High School category, the best ‘Match Past’ school went to Ridge “A” Experimental JHS. The 2^nd and 3^rd place at the JHS category went to Susec Model JHS and St. Anslems Anglican JHS respectively.

The 2^nd and 3^rd place at the SHS category went to Sunyani Business School and Sunyani SHS respectively.

Present to grace the occasion were the traditional authorities, assembly members, Heads of Department, media and the general public.

Municipal and District officers’ reported on similar ceremonies being held in the Districts across the Region.