67TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The district anniversary celebration is underway at the Tongo LA Primary School in Tongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana.This follows President Akufo-Addo’s decision in 2017 to have the national independence celebration held on a rotational basis to open the districts to the world to boost the indigenous economy.
Nationwide parades and other activities are taking place today to mark Ghana’s 67th Independence Anniversary.
The theme for this year’s event is: “Our Democracy, Our Pride”.
Ghana gained independence after 83 years of British colonial rule, becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence from Britain. The country’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana as “free forever” from colonial rule, marking a historic turning point in the governance of the country. Since that day, every March 6 is celebrated across the country and among Ghanaians in the Diaspora with various activities, some of which are observed throughout the month of March.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. Thomas Pearson Duanab Wuni in his speech welcomed all invited guest, Ladies and gentlemen, the Government has also done creditably in the provision of educational facilities at the basic level. In 2023, about 1,895 dual, mono desks and hexagonal chairs were distributed to all schools across the district comprising 212 and from Assembly, 1003 from Minerals Development Fund and 680 from the Ministry of Education. Again the Assembly completed the construction of a 3-unit classroom block at Sakorit and a 2-unit KG block at Gorogo. We also constructed a 3-unit classroom block for Kaare Primary. Efforts are being made to procure 90 pieces of dual desks for the classrooms and hand over it over to the Ghana Education Service.
Under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, the Assembly began the construction of a 2-unit KG block at Guborigu in November, 2023. The Assembly will also construct 3No. 3-unit classroom block at Yinduri, Gee and Gaarezore in 2024. The provision of furniture is incorporated into this package and so pupils and teachers are expected to have a sound learning environment when completed. The Assembly will also continue to support the District Education Directorate to adequately prepare the BECE candidates for the exams.
Mr Chairman, the performance of students at the Basic Education Certificate Examination is also of great concern to many of us. Even though the Talensi District’s BECE performance has been increasing consistently over the years, we are yet to record a fifty percent pass. In 2023, Talensi District got 42.7 percent pass in the BECE. While we commend the District Director of Education and her staff and all teachers for the marginal increase in performance, I still think this is not good enough and we can do better. I will therefore like to use this platform to call on all stakeholders like the District Assembly, the District Education Directorate, Parents, Teachers, School Management Committees and Students to collaborate more effectively to be able to change the narrative.
The District Education Director, thanked all members and pleaded with the District Assembly to help in resolving some issues in the various schools.
Thank you all for coming and let us celebrate our 67 years of independence peacefully.
Long live Ghana and Long live the good people of Talensi District.
Thank you and May the Almighty God Bless us all.