Ghana@60 Committee outlines programmes for Diamond Anniversary
The Ghana@60 Planning Committee has outlined the various educative and entertaining activities lined up for the country’s Diamond Anniversary.
Mr Laud Commey, the Chairperson of Events Sub-Committee, told the media on Thursday that the Ghana Actors Guild would re-enact the 28 February Crossroads Shooting incident to honour the heroes who started the independence struggle.
He said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would lay the wreath on that day to recognise the contributions of the country’s fallen heroes and heroines.
On March 1, he said, there would be a video documentary on tales of yester-years starting from the independence era to date.
In addition there would be inter-schools debate at the GNAT Hall and schools and participants who would excel would receive prizes.
That same day would be a Flag Draping Day, he said, and encouraged Ghanaians to decorate themselves, their homes, streets and other public places with the national colours of Red, Yellow, Green and Black.
He said the day would also be used to celebrate Madam Theodosia Okoh, the woman who designed the national flag.
Mr Commey, therefore, urged the media to drive the public awareness on the need for the populace to feel proud of their national colours.
He said Ghanaians nowadays felt proud to decorate themselves with flags of foreign football clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United and rather relegated their national flags to the background.
‘‘We want to use Ghana@60 to raise the flag very high so that the young people…. as they grow up, will appreciate the flag,’’ he said.
On March 2 there would be a premium lecture on the topic: ‘’Mobilising Ghana’s Future’’ which would be serialised with focus on education, health, infrastructure and other significant topics.
On March 3, Mr Commey said, there would be National Prayer Thanksgiving by Muslims at the Central Mosque where Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, would be the special guest to pray for the nation.
He said on that same day there would be a Choral Festival in honour of Pappoe Thompson, one of the heroes in choral music in Ghana.
On March 4 there would be premier of a 90-minute documentary entitled: ‘‘Gold Coast, a Glorious History of Self-Determination’’ which was put together by Paul Adom Otchere of Metro TV, which chronicles the history of Ghana from the Gold Coast era to modern day Ghana.
On March 5 there would be an inter-faith prayer service at the Holy Spirit Cathedral while the Catholic Bishops Conference, Charismatic, and Pentecostal churches and all other religious denominations would attend with the President as the special guest.
Mr Commey said the service would be used to intercede on the nation’s behalf and to thank God for His manifold blessings.
Again, there would be ‘‘What Do You Know’’ quiz competition on the topic: ‘‘Mobilising for Ghana’s Future’’ at the studious of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation where prizes would be presented to those who would excel.
There would also be a health walk nationwide and the route for the walk would be communicated to the public in due course, he said.
On the same day, he said, there would be a photo exhibition by the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board at the Osu Castle where President Akufo-Addo would launch the Heads of State Museum.
On the same March 5, Mr Commey said the President would reward students who excelled in various examinations organised by the West African Examination Councils (WAEC) at the Banquet Hall.
He said due to the 60th anniversary, the number of school children that would be rewarded this year had been increased to 60 comprising those who are physically-challenged.
There would be a theatre performance on how Ghana struggled to gain independence from the British at the National Theatre, he added.
On 6th March the anniversary parade would be held at the Black Star Square to mark the 60th anniversary which will see the various security agencies in their colours while school children, market women, teachers and others would march to commemorate the day.
On that same day, Mr Commey said there would be fireworks by the Ghana Armed Forces in the evening at the Independence Square while the various masquerading groups would display their artistry.
On the 7th March there would be an International Gospel Concert where renowned gospel musician, Don Moen and other internationally-acclaimed musicians would feature.
There would also be an Open Day by the Ghana Armed Forces where the general public could visit the various garrisons to watch the military armoury and take trips in helicopters.
March 8 had been declared a National Day for Ghanaian Women while a Unity Ball would be held at the Banquet Hall on March 9.
From March 10 to 12 there would be a celebration of Ghanaian music from the pre-colonial era, to the colonial as well as the post-independence eras to present day Ghana.
Mr Commey said the World Boxing Council (WBC) had put up three titles for grabs at the Bukom Square where there would be boxing bouts termed “rumble at 60” on March 12.
He said the Ghana@ 60 Anniversary celebrations would be wrapped up on 17th March, 2018.
Mr Kenneth Amankwa, the Chairperson of the Ghana@60 Planning Committee, lauded the media for driving the awareness on the celebrations.
Source: GNA