Authorities quicken 63rd independence Parade to save school children from heat

Correspondence from Upper East Region

Authorities in the Kasena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have jumped portions of the program lineup for this year's celebrations of Ghana's 63rd independence to avert the effect of the sun's intense heat on school children who have paraded at the Paga Town park to take part in the celebration.

As at 9 am Friday morning, the scorching sun was already high up in the sky, generating intense heat.

Temperatures in the Northern part the country are generally not friendly at this time of the year. Temperatures go beyond 43 degrees Celsius during these times.

To, therefore, prevent the recording of heat related calamities at the district level in this year's celebrations, authorities pushed several portions of the program lineup, including the President's speech, to the tail end of the event.

The Master of Ceremony (MC) announced the decision said: "We are now going to take the march pass. This is because it is getting late and the sun will soon start burning. Those of you who have the program lineup will realize that we have skipped some of the activities. The President's speech will be read after the school children have finished marching and are under the shade".

A total of 42 schools in the district, made up of 21 Primary Schools, 16 Junior High Schools and 5 Senior High Schools are participating in this year's independence celebration.

The district security agencies including the police, fire service and ambulance services have been positioned to take control of foreseen challenges.