A total of 1,800 pupils and students in Yendi in the Northern Region, on Tuesday took part in a parade to commemorate Ghana’s 55th independence anniversary.

Other groups such as people with disability, the Ghana Red Cross and identifiable organizations also took part in the march past.

Present at the Jubilee Park in Yendi, where the parade was held were heads of departments and institutions, representative of religious bodies and traditional authorities, among others.

The Yendi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Issah Zakaria reminded Ghanaians that it was about time to make up for the developmental shortfalls in education, health and agriculture by creating the enabling environment for its start.

Mr Zakaria said this requires unity, peace, stability, selflessness and determination to effectively implement the positive policies and plans of the government of the day.

He said the theme chosen for this year’s celebration “Sustaining peace and democracy for National Unity and Development” was very appropriate.

Mr Zakaria said since Independence, policies and programmes of governments have always been disrupted or abandoned due to political instability and this undoubtedly has affected the progress and development of the nation.

He urged them to fight against diseases, poverty and ignorance, which he described as the three greatest enemies, adding that, “these enemies cannot be defeated in an atmosphere of disunity and self-centeredness.”

He advised all Ghanaians to ensure that their political campaigns were done in a peaceful and matured manner, without violence and insults.

The MCE called on all qualified persons to register during the Biometric registration exercise, which starts on 24th March, 2012.