Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebration in the Effutu Municipality was marked with a vibrant and well-attended parade at the Presbyterian School Park, Winneba on Friday, bringing together hundreds of students, community leaders, and residents to commemorate the nation’s 69th anniversary of independence.
The ceremony, organized by the Effutu Municipal Assembly, began at 9:00 a.m. and attracted parents, traditional authorities, government officials, and other distinguished guests who gathered to celebrate Ghana’s journey of freedom, resilience, and development since independence in 1957.
A major highlight of the event was the colourful parade featuring 1,080 students drawn from 28 schools across the municipality. The participating institutions included 12 public basic schools (Primary and Junior High Schools), 10 private schools, four senior high schools, and two cadet corps units. Each group presented a disciplined 40-member contingent, impressing spectators with coordinated drills, marching displays, and patriotic performances.
The parade ground came alive with music and cultural flair as the Winneba Brass Band and the Winneba Brigade Band provided lively musical accompaniment throughout the ceremony, energizing both participants and onlookers.
Delivering the keynote address, the Municipal Chief Executive for Effutu, Rev. Atta Mensah Mensah, expressed pride and gratitude as Ghana marked another milestone in its democratic journey. He congratulated citizens for their dedication to national development and reflected on the sacrifices made by the country’s founding fathers, particularly Kwame Nkrumah, whose leadership played a pivotal role in securing Ghana’s independence.
Speaking on the national theme, “Building Prosperity and Restoring Hope,” the MCE outlined several government initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s economic recovery under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the government is shifting focus from crisis management to recovery management through policies that support job creation, trade expansion, agricultural productivity, and private sector development. He commended farmers within the municipality for their continued contribution to food security and encouraged fisherfolk in the coastal communities to remain committed to sustaining the local economy.
Rev. Mensah Mensah also highlighted measures being implemented to improve public service delivery. He disclosed that key institutions including port customs, passport offices, and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) would soon operate on a 24-hour basis to improve accessibility and efficiency for citizens.
Addressing local development challenges, the MCE acknowledged concerns over road congestion, inadequate drainage systems, and limited public amenities in parts of the municipality. He assured residents that the assembly, in collaboration with central government, would prioritize investment in infrastructure, sanitation, and water supply to support sustainable growth in the area.
Quoting the biblical passage Jeremiah 29:7, he urged residents to seek the peace and prosperity of their community.
“When the municipality prospers, every resident benefits,” he said, calling on religious groups, fisherfolk, traditional leaders, youth groups, and citizens to work collectively toward building a safer, cleaner, and more prosperous Effutu.
Delivering the Welcome Address, the Municipal Director of Education, Madam Diana Anderson emphasized the critical role of education in shaping Ghana’s future. She described schools in the municipality as “training grounds for the next generation of innovators, leaders, and nation builders,” stressing that investment in education remains essential for restoring hope and achieving long-term national development goals.
She encouraged students to remain disciplined, focused, and patriotic, reminding them that their commitment to learning would ultimately contribute to the progress of the municipality and the country as a whole.
At the end of the parade, awards were presented to the top three performing schools in each category in recognition of their discipline, turnout, and precision during the marching displays.
The event concluded with cheers, music, and renewed patriotic spirit as residents reflected on the significance of Ghana’s independence and the shared responsibility of building a stronger nation.
Across Effutu, the celebration served not only as a remembrance of the country’s historic liberation struggle but also as a call to action for citizens to contribute meaningfully to development and national unity.
Story By: Charles Baah Aboagye, Lucy Annan & Sophia Arthur
Picture Credit: Emmanuel Agosu
ISD- Effutu Municipal Assembly
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