Tamale, Feb 21, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, on Wednesday expressed the hope that the "Freedom Flame" en route to the principal cities of the country would help light the democratic path that Ghanaians have chosen and "unite us as one people with a common destiny".
He said the flame should also remind the nation of the leading role Ghana played in the emancipation of Africa and as a beacon of hope for the rest of the continent.
Alhaji Idris said this when he received the Freedom Flame from Mr. George Osei, originator of the idea of the freedom flame, at a ceremony at the Tamale Police Park.
The flame was lighted at Wa on Monday and travelled down to Bolgatanga on Tuesday before reaching the Tamale Metropolis on Wednesday.
The torch would travel the 2,600-kilometre journey from Wa to Accra and make its final berth in Accra on the eve of March 6 to climax the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The torch would then be handed over to President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Independence Square on Independence Day to light the perpetual flame.
In Tamale, officials of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), the Ghana Education Service (GES), the police and school children waving the national flags, graced the event.
Alhaji Idris later joined the people to march through some of the principal streets of Tamale amidst brass band music.
The Regional Minister expressed the hope that the flame would not only set the tone for the jubilee celebrations but would also resuscitate in Ghanaians the universal values of freedom and justice, commitment, determination, togetherness and love for their country. The flame, he said, would also rekindle in the youth the zeal with which the founding fathers fought for political independence and inspire them to continue to fight for economic independence of the country. Mr. Osei said: "The idea of the freedom flame is to awaken in the youth the spirit of nationalism and patriotism to resist all forms of oppression and dictatorial rule". 21 Feb 07
