The Savannah region marks the 67th Independence Anniversary day celebration of Ghana at the sports oval of the Damongo SHS in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah region with a call for sustainable peace and unity.
The event was attended by Chiefs and Queen mothers of the Savannah region, youth groups, women groups, security agencies, Hon Assembly Members, clergy, heads of departments, school children, teachers cultural troops, among others.
Delivering the 67th Independence anniversary day speech, Muhazu Saeed Jibril, the Savannah regional minister called on the chiefs and people of the region to work together to sustain the peace they enjoy in the area. He added that the people of the area should put aside their individual interests and help other stakeholders to sustain the peace in the region before, during and after the 2024 elections.
The theme for the 67th independence anniversary day celebration is ‘Our Democracy Our Pride’.
The minister noted that elections are a few months away and we should allow the theme to motivate us to have a positive disposition for the coming elections. He added that the theme will continue to be relevant and meaningful if and only if we cherish our present democratic dispensation as all-time best, and have the courage to snub any insurrection tendencies with disdain and deliberate manner.
Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, seeks to Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Ghana is noted for peace and beacon of hope for the sub-region, and the coming elections should not detract us from the enviable niche we have carved for ourselves as a country.
“For the Savannah region, my clarion is that we must do everything humanly possible to sustain the peace and unity of the region before, during and after the elections. We should learn to tolerate one another’s views and not see our political opponents as enemies.
We should also put aside our individual parochial interests and see Ghana first if we are to sustain peace and unity we so much desire for our national democracy and development. Let democracy continue to be our pride. This year’s election is another opportunity for us to prove to the whole world that yes, Ghana is the star of Africa”.
He further stated that the theme enjoins us to celebrate ourselves for opting for multi-party democracy and sustaining the Fourth Republic for a good 32 years continuously. We are proud of ourselves for 32 years of multi-party democracy, 32 years of freedom of the media, 32 years of peaceful elections and seamless transition of power from one government to another, including power from incumbent government to an opposition party.
He commended Ghanaians and appealed to all to be proud of ourselves and reflect on the progress made as a democratic country.
“It is time to recognize the sacrifices made by our forebears in the struggle for independence and to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the democratic principles that govern our nation”.
The minister acknowledged President Akufo Addo’s emphatic statement in the recent State of the Nation address when he said ‘In spite of all its shortcomings and difficulties, the people of Ghana have shown admirable commitment to multi-party democracy and have not fallen for the instigations to resort to the violent overthrow of an elected government’.
He added that democracy has been more rewarding hence the creation for the creation of the Savannah region and the fruits of which include improved infrastructure and access to education and health care, and empowerment of the youth and women since its creation some five years ago.
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