C/R residents receive 'Freedom Flame' amidst jubilation

Cape Coast, Feb 28, GNA- Hundreds of residents of Cape Coast, the Central Regional Capital and those from its environs, on Wednesday welcomed the 'freedom flame,' which was making a journey throughout the country, as part of activities to mark the Golden Jubilee. By 0700 hours, enthusiastic crowd, including school children and masqueraders, were already waiting along the principal streets of the city and other surrounding towns.

Jubilation began, when at exactly 0930 hours, the Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur accompanied by the Regional Police Commander, Mrs Rose Bio-Atinga, the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District Chief Executive, Mr Frank Asmah and chiefs from the Cape Coast Municipality, received the flame from the bearer who had come from the Western Region, at Ataabadze, junction near Komenda.


Waving miniature Ghana and Ghana @ 50 flags, the crowd joyfully danced to the tune 'ma w'enyigye se wofri Ghana', literally meaning 'be happy to be a Ghanaian," that was played by a brass band, and cheered loudly when they caught a glimpse at the flame.


The Regional Minister, handed over the flame to Mr Asmah, who carried it through some principal streets of Elmina, and the people in the township could also not contain their joy upon seeing the flame. When the flame arrived in Cape Coast and made its first stop at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), authorities there light flames on statutes mounted at the UCC, to highlight the University's symbol as a centre of excellence, and slowly made its way through the principal streets of the township.

Nana Arthur accompanied by the massive crowd, finally converged at the Chapel Square in Cape Coast, where he reiterated the region's historical and political importance.


He appealed to the people to support government's programmes aimed at creating wealth and jobs in the Region, and commended the crowd, especially the school children for the massive turn up.


The UCC Vice-Chancellor, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Adow Obeng and Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of the Ogua Traditional Area also handled the flame.