Activities marking the 57th Independence Day Parade at the Black Star Square in Accra was disrupted as a result of a heavy downpour.
The rains which started at 09:05 did not deter President John Dramani Mahama from lighting the perpetual flame in remembrance of the unknown fallen soldiers.
Although some security services were able to march past in the rain, students from both first and second cycle schools as well as some organised bodies could not take their turns.
Delivering his speech, President Mahama described this year�s celebration as the most eventful. Ascribing the downpour to the effects of climate change, the President noted that, �It has not been normal for rainstorms like this to happen at this time of the year, early in March.�
He said although a warning was received from the Meteorological Services Department, it arrived late, making it impossible for the event to be rescheduled.
�What it means is that we must implement climate change adaptability to better able predict the weather. We must sharpen our ability to predict how the weather will behave so we can adapt to it,� he said.
President Mahama however, thanked dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders as well as members of the public who made it to the Black Star Square.
This year�s independence celebrations is themed, �Building a Better and Prosperous Ghana through patriotism and National Unity.�
Patronise 'Made-in-Ghana' everyday -Prez Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has proposed that everyday should be made a �Made-in-Ghana� day in an attempt to transform the society and the economy.
Speaking at the 57th Independence Day celebrations in Accra, the president lauded the Kufuor-led administration for initiating the practice of putting on traditional wear on Fridays and reiterated the need for Ghanaians to patronise made-in-Ghana goods.
�I�m asking us to go one step further. With every piece of clothing we wear, with every item of food we prepare for our meals, with every single thing we use, let us ask ourselves, �how much of this is made in Ghana?� and even importantly, if it was not made in Ghana, let�s ask ourselves, �could it have been made in Ghana?�
�But if you ask yourself, could it have been made in Ghana and the answer is �yes�, then for the love of this country, our country, start thinking of ways in which we can transform our society and our economy by making it happen�, President Mahama urged.
President Mahama noted that there was no reason why a significant number of the items that were imported to use on a daily basis could not be made in Ghana.
He said, �If we are truly independent, we cannot allow our destiny to be determined by corporations, industries or individuals or exist beyond our national borders and that is precisely what we are doing when the majority of what we consume come from outside.�
�Ghanaians are some of the most enterprising people in the world. We are smart, creative, crafty, and have a good business sense and when put to the test, we are indeed very hard working� God has blessed us even more richly with talent, innovation and industriousness let us use these God-given gifts to transform this great nation of ours,� he urged.
Taking Ghana to the next level
President Mahama noted that the time had come for Ghana to be moved to the next level and this could be achieved through unity and hard work.
He said inequality was currently one of the world�s biggest global risk and a flashpoint for national and social tension.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to be vigilant in addressing the inequalities that face the society.
President Mahama further said government would put in place realist goals to bridge the gap that exist between the rich and the poor.
He said, �All children must have access to quality education, whether male or female or whether they live in the village or they live in the city. Young people must be accorded the skills needed in order to find gainful employment. Proper health care must be available to all our people.�
�We cannot afford to leave any of our citizens behind. The more Ghanaians we leave behind, the more likely it is that in the larger scheme of things, our country Ghana will be left behind,� he noted.
Source: Daily Graphic
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