Accra, March 6, GNA - "I dare say that if every Ghanaian begins to appreciate his or her unique role within the body politic, then the nation will be living within the letter and spirit of our national anthem...."

These were President Kufuor's words as he invited celebrants at the 48th Independence Anniversary parade to recite the national anthem with him.

They stood up and recited: "God bless our homeland Ghana; and make our nation great and strong. Bold to defend forever, the cause of freedom and of right. Fill our hearts with true humility; make us cherish fearless honesty and help us to resist oppressor's rule with all our will and might for evermore," with the President leading.

The celebrants included Vice President Aliu Mahama; Speaker of Parliament, Ebenezer B. Sekyi Hughes; Chief Justice, George Kingsley Acquah; Members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, leaders of some of the political parties and Ghanaians from all walks of life.

Mr Edmund Delle, Chairman of the Convention People's Party, praised the President for asking the nation to commit itself to the ideals of the national anthem.
"It was a great thing that he did because many people, including me, have forgotten the words of the anthem," he told the GNA later in an interview.
"But the anthem is very important for fostering our national unity and pride." He added: "Generally, the address was good but I was disappointed that the President did not pay tribute to our founding fathers and those, who spearheaded our independence."

Before making that significant request, President Kufuor devoted most part of his 30-minute address to explaining the roles and functions of the three arms of government: Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary, as well as those of the media and civil society.

"For peace and orderly development, it is necessary that each and every stakeholder within the polity operates within the law even as they pursue their rights and freedoms," he cautioned.

Upholding the rule of law, respecting the Constitution, eschewing parochial interests for the advancement of the nation and cooperating at all levels of society for peace and democracy to be entrenched should be every citizen's goal, President Kufuor said.

President Kufuor repeated the phrase "fellow citizens," as he made his point.

He also talked about the commitment of his Administration to provide quality leadership in line with the Anniversary's theme: " Sustaining Democracy in Ghana: The Bedrock For Peace and Unity."

The President also commended the 15 contingents from the Security Services and educational institutions that formed the parade and those who were there to observe and cheer them.

"Fellow citizens, I cannot end my address on this auspicious day without congratulating the forces personnel, teachers and school children as well as the various groups, associations and individuals who are happily participating in today's ceremonies here and all over the country...

"... I commend all those whose collective efforts have resulted in today's spectacular performance," President Kufuor remarked.

"To them and to all of us I say Ayekoo!" to which the people responded with a shout of "Yaayeeei" from the parade grounds.

Under the command of Colonel Joseph D. Prah, the contingents dressed in their colourful ceremonial outfits marched briskly to tunes provided by a Massed Band of the Security Services and the Ghana Education Metro Band that was under the leadership of Major S. P. Ebonye.

The schoolchildren were selected from the Ashiedu-Keteke, Ablekuma South, Ayawaso and Okaikoi Sub-Metro Schools, as well as two private institutions and three second-cycle schools.

Also in attendance were the cadet corps of the Armed Forces Technical Secondary/Technical School, representing the Army; Christian Methodist School representing the Navy; O'Reily Secondary School for the Air Force and St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School for the Police.

President Kufuor, dressed in a dark suit, took the salute with the crowd cheering and applauding as the marchers filed past.

The crowd was particularly thrilled as the marchers expertly transformed into triangular formation, described as 'arrowhead. It is normally used with the straight line and diamond formations in times of war.

There was also a display of a variety of armoured and riot control vehicles from the Army and the Police to demonstrate the readiness of the security services to protect the nation at all times.
Before taking the salute, President Kufuor, with the Chief of the Defence Staff and Inspector-General of Police as his ceremonial guards, inspected the contingents.
The Ministers of Education, Defence and the Interior, who each carried a miniature national flag, accompanied the President.
Afterwards, the President lit the perpetual flame, which symbolises the spirit of Independence, to remind Ghanaians of their responsibility to keep the spirit alive and to rekindle their commitment to the achievement of total political and socio-economic independence.
The cultural touch to the event was not only portrayed by the presence of chiefs and some middle-aged people, who attended the event in their splendid Kente outfits and gold jewellery but also by performances of drum appellation and a Dagomba social dance, "Bamaya" choreographed for festive occasions.
There was a fly-past by three jets emitting the national colours from the North to the South, while a 21-gun- salute boomed from a Ghana Navy ship on the Gulf of Guinea.
The ceremony ended with the National Anthem to enforce a sense of patriotism after a yell of "Chooboi" hailing Ghana.
The First Lady Theresa Kufuor, in a beautiful kente slit and kaba, and Hajia Ramatu Mahama, wife of the Vice President, were also at the ceremony.
A 62-year old woman, Madam Victoria Akutey from Accra, told the GNA that the parade got better as the nation progressed.
"It has become simpler but more interesting with the participation of fewer school contingents," she observed. "But what I like most is the infusion of western and traditional cultures."
Madam Akutey said she forfeited her morning church service for the parade because there were many opportunities for worshipping God than celebrating the Independence Anniversary.
"Who knows whether this may be my last one?" She asked.