Keta, March 07, GNA - A colourful march past by pupils/students and voluntary organisations in the Keta Urban Area was held at the Keta Secondary School Park to mark the 48th independence anniversary. Nine basic schools, two-second cycle schools and six voluntary organisations took part in the march past.
Also featured in the programme were two contingents of the Keta Secondary School Air Force Cadet Corps make up of 5 Cadets officers and 60 other ranks.
A large crowd including chiefs, assembly members, heads of departments and the general public watched the event. The Keta Secondary School Brass Band, Dzelukope R.C. Brass Band provided music for the march past at which Mr Edward Kofi Ahiabor, the acting District Chief Executive for Keta and the District Commander of Police, Mr Ebenezer Larbi took the salute.
The parade was organised on competitive basis among the nine basic schools in the boys and girls divisions.
In the boys division, Keta Secondary Basic School came first with 57 points, Anlo State School placed second with 49 points and Keta Zion Basic School took the third position with 47 points.
In the girls division, Keta Anlo State School place first with 56 points, Keta Secondary Basic School was second with 54 points and Dzelukope R.C. took the third position with 51 points.
Mr Ahiabor said in his address that Independence Day gave birth to Ghana as a sovereign nation and therefore all Ghanaians must associate the day with freedom, joy and happiness.
He said the theme for the celebration "sustaining democracy in Ghana the bedrock for peace and national unity" was appropriate as the nation is trying to deepen democracy as a way of life.
Mr Ahiabor appealed to all citizens for understanding and to support the government's petroleum deregulation policy as it would put the economy on a sound footing and set the nation on the path of accelerated growth.
Mr Ahiabor advised school pupils and the youth to work hard and be disciplined to make them worthy inheritors of the nation.
The DCE announced a scholarship package for the best BECE students for 2004 Miss Regina Abotsi now in Keta Secondary School. The sponsorship package, the DCE's contribution to uplift education in the Keta District, covers the student's entire SSS schooling.