In the Ho municipality, hundreds of school children displayed the spirit of steadfastness and endurance in nation-building as they bore the early morning heat to enact Ghana's sturdy steps into Independence 51 years ago.

As early as 0600 hours, several schoolchildren and the elderly flooded the Jubilee Park, resplendent in the national colours in anticipation of the day's activities. At exactly 0800 hours personnel from the 66 Artillery Regiment, began the programme with a brief recount of historical developments leading to the country's independence. In all, six Senior High Schools, 14 Junior High Schools and 14 Primary Schools took part in the anniversary parade. There were also contingents from the 66 Artillery Regiment, the Ghana Police Service, the Prisons Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Excise and Preventive Service, the Ghana National Fire Service and cadet corps of the Mawuko Girls and OLA Girls Senior High Schools.

In command was Major Ben Pantoah of the 66 Artillery Regiment. Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister, who took the salute, conveyed President John Agyekum Kufuor's gratitude to Ghanaians for giving him the opportunity to serve the country for eight years. President Kufuor called on the Electoral Commission and the general public to play their respective roles to make this year's elections credible and peaceful.

Volta Barracks Primary, Housing Primary and Ghana Presbyterian Primary Schools were adjudged 1st, 2nd and 3rd best schools in the primary school category while Volta Barracks JHS, Kabore JHS and Ho Kpodzi also emerged winners in JHS category in the same order. Saint Prosper's College, a Private SHS, took the first position for the SHS category with the second and third positions going to Mawuko Girls and Ola Girls SHS respectively.