The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram-Asiedu took the salute at the parade of security services, schoolchildren and organizations at the Koforidua Jackson's park.
In all 1,650 people in 44 contingents took part at in the parade under the command of Major John Ndewuni Abugri, of the first battalion of infantry, Tema.
For the first time, wives of members of the Ghana Police Service and the Prisons Service and pupils from the unit school of the deaf also took part in the parade to mark the anniversary in the region. Other organizations that took part were the brigades from the Presbyterian, Methodist and the Anglican Churches. The Ghana Secondary School Cadet corps was adjudged the best in the parade category and was presented with a shield and certificate.
Suhum
People from all walks of life trooped to the Catholic School Park at Suhum in the Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District to witness the 51st Independence Anniversary Celebrations. The national colours of Red, Gold and Green were however missing at the celebration as compared to last year when the nation celebrated the Golden Jubilee. In all 2,200 contingents from Primary, Junior High and Senior High Schools, as well as cadet groups and voluntary organizations took part in the parade. Addressing them, the District Chief Executive, Mr Michael Kofi Mensah urged parents to take their children's education seriously. He said the only legacy that a parent could bequeath to his children was to give them better education. Mr Mensah cautioned school children to guard against unproductive social function such wake keeping, saying the assembly would soon come out with bye-laws to that effect.
In the parade, Suhum Presbyterian "A" and "B" schools emerged winners in the Primary category, followed by Anglican "A" and "C". In the Junior High School category, Anglican "A" and "B" emerged winners, followed by Suhum Experimental District Assembly Junior High School. In the Senior High School category, Suhum Senior High and Technical Schools came first, followed by Islamic Senior High School.
