Wa, Feb 20, GNA - Mr Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister, on Monday lighted the "Freedom Flame" at Wa, at the start of a 15-day-run covering 2,600 kilo meters through the regional capitals ending in Accra on the eve of Ghana's Golden Jubilee Independence anniversary on the sixth of March.

The journey of the Freedom Flame, which is being organised by Toyota Ghana, Total and Virgin Nigeria Airline and other sponsors, is under the theme, "Lighting the Path for African Excellence.

The flame was carried through the principal streets of Wa accompanied with brass band music for about two hours before setting of on a run to Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Dery urged Ghanaians to soberly reflect on the achievements of the country for them to be filled with the patriotism that enabled the nation's founding fathers to struggle to end colonial rule.

He said, "We have an obligation to develop our motherland into a nation of hope for the future generations" and urged the people to follow the steps of the founding fathers to overcome obstacles confronting the country.

The Catholic Bishop of Wa, the Right Reverend Paul Bemile, in a prayer called on Ghanaians to "Let the flame inflame" their patriotic spirits to rededicate their lives to the development and progress of the country.