Accra, Feb. 13, GNA -- Ceremonies would take place throughout the country on Thursday, February 15, to "Rally Round the Flag Day" to mark the official countdown towards the country's 50th birthday. The event would be used to invite and encourage all Ghanaians to demonstrate their love, commitment and patriotism towards the land of our birth, a statement on Tuesday signed by Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby, Chief Executive of Ghana@50 Secretariat.

The release said the day would be marked with ceremonies such as brass band floats through the principal streets of Accra and all regional capitals and distribution and waving of national and jubilee flags by school children.

It said Vice-President Aliu Mahama, Regional and Sector Ministries and Metropolitan and District Chief Executives would perform simultaneous flag raising ceremonies at 12 noon.

The highlight ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Independence Square in Accra to be attended by members of the National Planning Committee and senior officials of Government.

The statement said Mrs. Theodosia Okoh, designer of the national flag, had been invited as the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion and would join the Vice-President and members of Government at the Independence Square as an acknowledgement and to give the event its proper historic grounding.

"All Ghanaians are therefore entreated to join in this historic event by attending the ceremonies, flying the flag in their homes and cars, or displaying them on their office desk and places of business." 13 Feb. 07