Tema, March 6, GNA - A total of 1,470 students from 25 Junior and Senior High Schools in the Tema Metropolis on Friday participated in the metropolis' parade to mark the celebration of the country's 52nd independence anniversary celebration. The students smartly dressed in the ceremonial attire of their various schools, marched to the music provided by the Tema Methodist Diocesan Band.

While students from the State School for the Deaf staged a dance drama to portray the unity among the three religious groups in the country, pupils from the DEKS Educational Institute also performed a gymnastic display on national unity. Mrs Victoria Opoku, Tema Metropolitan Educational Director in a welcome address, encouraged parents to monitor the activities of their children both in school and at home.

Mrs Opoku also called on other stakeholders of education to direct their activities towards the development of the children, to meet the increasing demand of responsible and educated citizens. She further called on the public to speak against the increase in road accidents in the country, as more children were being killed and maimed, due to the carelessness of some drivers. Recounting some achievements of the directorate in 2008, the Metropolitan Educational Director stated that, the metropolis moved from ninth position in 2007 to seventh out of 110 districts that participated in the 2008 Basic Education Certificate Education (BECE). Mrs Opoku said in extra curricula activities, the metropolis girls' team placed first while the boys' team placed forth in the under 15 girls and boys regional soccer competition, adding that, four girls from the Kpone Methodist JHS have been selected to join the national netball team.

Mr Kwaku Akpotosu, Tema Metropolitan Coordinating Director who read the anniversary speech on behalf of President John Evans Atta Mills, said Ghana needs the energy, dynamism, creativity and dreams of the youth to develop. Mr Akpotosu who took the salute during the march past also urged the youth to take their studies serious, as well as aspire to greater heights. He cautioned them against undertaking hazardous journeys in search of greener pastures as they could achieve more in Ghana. He also paid homage to the youth who have brought honour to the country in diverse ways including the national under-20 soccer team and the local black stars.

A total of 35 students including some from less endowed schools in the metropolis were awarded with sets of books by the Rotary Club of Tema for excelling in the 2008 BECE, and the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Our Lady of Mercy (OLAM) SHS, Tema SHS (TEMASCO) and Chemu SHS were also presented with four, three and two awards respectively for producing excellent students. In the SHS category, CHEMU, TEMASCO and MEDASS received plaques and certificates for being the first, second and third respectively, while TI Ahamadia, Bex Hill JHS and Kpone Methodist JHS emerged as the best three schools for the Junior High School category in the march past.