Low turnout for OAU celebration

The flag-raising ceremony in connection with the 38th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Accra was poorly attended with most of the seats at the forecourt of the State House not occupied.

Conspicuously absent were Chiefs and Queen mothers whose places remained empty throughout the over two-hour programme, while less than 20 per cent of Parliamentarians were present.

But for the presence of students from Osu Presbyterian Secondary, Holy Trinity, Social Advance and O'Reilly Secondary Schools the venue would have been virtually empty. However, the Airforce Band and a contingent of three officers and 60 men under the command of Ft. Lt. Issah Sadique, added some colour to the occasion.

The beautiful turnout of the military and at the precise time, was nearly marred when three of the men on parade and a Military Police Officer guarding the ceremonial dais fell off under the scorching sun.

The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Mr Elwood Greaves of Liberia and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman raised the OAU and the Ghana flags respectively amid the playing of Anthems.

The Nigerian High Commissioner, Mr Sam Okechukwu, read the anniversary message by the Chairman of the OAU President Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo.