A powerful call for communal effort, environmental responsibility, and educational excellence resonated at St. Martins Anglican School Park on Friday as the district joined the rest of the nation to commemorate the 69th Independence Day anniversary.
The ceremony, which brought together a sea of school children, teachers, traditional leaders, and government officials, was held under the national theme: “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”
Delivering the keynote address, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wassa East, Hon. Alhassan Ibrahim, emphasized that the theme is not just a national slogan but a lived reality for the hardworking people of the district. He praised the resilience of local farmers, traders, and the youth, stating that their daily determination is the true engine of progress.
“Many of our people wake up early in the morning and go to their farms, work tirelessly just to provide for their families. These efforts show that the people of Wassa East are enthused and determined,” Hon. Ibrahim noted. “What we need is to continue working together so that our hard work will bring prosperity to our homes and to the nation as a whole.”
Showcasing Development and Outlining a Vision for Progress
Hon. Ibrahim used the platform to highlight the government’s commitment to bridging the district’s infrastructure gap. He listed several ongoing projects as tangible evidence of the “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope” agenda. These projects include the construction of new classroom blocks at Adukrom, Tsintimhwe, and Aboaboso No. 2, a new CHPS Compound at Appeasuman, and the drilling of eight boreholes across various communities. He assured residents that the Assembly is already preparing another set of projects for the 2026 financial year.
Turning his attention to critical local issues, the DCE made a passionate appeal to residents to revive the spirit of National Sanitation Day. He proposed a collective community agreement to schedule social events to begin after 12 p.m. on the designated Saturdays, allowing the morning hours to be dedicated to clean-up exercises.
“Let us all agree to carry out our social events after 12 p.m., so that from the morning until 12 p.m., we can fully participate in the sanitation exercise and help keep our streets and communities clean,” he urged.
On the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), Hon. Ibrahim called on miners to adopt responsible practices. “I urge all who engage in mining to practice responsible mining by acquiring the necessary permits and documents, so we can protect our land while benefiting from its resources,” he stated.
Schools Display Splendour at March Past
A major highlight of the celebration was the vibrant and colorful march past, which saw enthusiastic contingents from 14 primary schools, 12 junior high schools (JHS), and the DSHT cadet corps.
After a keenly contested competition, the results were announced to the admiration of the gathering.
· In the Primary School category, Dompim No.1 D/A Primary School emerged victorious, scoring an impressive 189 points. They were followed closely by SOCFINAF A Primary with 182 points, while T.I Ahmadiyya Primary secured the third position with 164 points.
· In the Junior High School category, Radient Faith Academy put up an outstanding performance to clinch the first position with 189 points. SOCFINAF JHS A took the second spot with 181 points, and the host school, St. Martins Anglican School JHS, came third with 167 points.
Hon. Ibrahim congratulated all the participating students and urged them to remain focused on their education, describing them as the future leaders of Wassa East. He also acknowledged the crucial role of traditional leaders (Nananom), heads of departments, and the security services in maintaining the district’s enviable peace and stability.
“Wassa East has always been a peaceful district, and it is our shared responsibility to preserve that peace, because without peace, development cannot thrive,” the DCE added.
The ceremony concluded on a festive note, with Hon. Ibrahim, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, wishing the people of Wassa East a happy Independence Day and calling on all citizens to honour the nation’s forefathers through hard work and unity.
Editorial Team
