Posted 6th March 2023. By@UDEMA_MIS
“OUR UNITY, OUR STRENGTH, OUR PURPOSE”.
The venue was DUNKWA YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX-MFUOM and celebration started at 9:00am. The team for the 66th Independence anniversary celebration is “OUR UNITY, OUR STRENGTH, OUR PURPOSE”.
read full address delivered by the MCE
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR UPPER DENKYIRA EAST, HON. EBENEZER FORSON APPIAH ON THE OCCASION OF GHANA 66TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION HELD ON MONDAY 6TH MARCH 2023 AT DUNKWA-ON-OFFIN.
NANA CHAIRMAN,
NANANOM,
HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT,
HON. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS PRESENT,
THE CLERGY,
THE CHIEF IMAMS,
HEADS OF DEPARTMENT AND AGENCIES,
STAFF OF GHANA EDUCATION SERVICE,
STUDENTS AND SCHOOL PUPILS,
SECURITY AGENCIES,
OUR FRIENDS FROM THE MEDIA
DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUEST,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
Our beloved country Ghana attained her independence on the 6th of March, 1957. We are gathered here today to celebrate her 66th Anniversary as an independent nation.
Nana chairman, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and on my own behalf, I wish to welcome you all to the parade grounds. I am most grateful to you all, particularly to the Chiefs and Elders for accepting to be part of this celebration.
Nana Chairman, the celebration of our independence serves to remind us of the sacrifices made by our great forefathers during the period before the 6th of March, 1957. It also provides the opportunity for the young ones who were born long after 1957 to know the history behind Ghana’s independence.
The celebration of Ghana’s 66th anniversary again gives us the opportunity to take a look at how far we have come and to take a second look at our progress in order to make corrections where we have challenges. This is the surest way for us to propel the development of our nation. Today’s celebration has provided us the opportunity to remember and celebrate our founding fathers who made great sacrifices to ensure our freedom from colonial bondage.
Ladies and gentlemen, today’s celebration is not a mere celebration. It is a day where we take time to reflect the great gains we have made as a nation after independence. It is a day where we take stock of all sectors of the country and take a second look at our actions and inactions.
Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in a long while about this Municipality is hosting the independence day at this venue where we used to call Dunkwa Stadium but now it is the Youth Resource Center which is being developed by the National Youth Authority under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. As we all can see the project is not fully completed and so I will urge all of us to adhere to all safety guidance being given.
Indeed, we are very grateful to His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for this wonderful project. I am very optimistic that as we have started hosting independence day celebrations here, it is going to continue because God willing next year by this time, the project will be completed fully and handed over to us for use.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have made modest gains since independence as a nation since 1957 which we can sincerely acknowledge. Ghana has been and still remains the star of Africa especially in the area of Democratic Governance and in many other areas. Indeed, we have demonstrated over the last Sixty-Six years that we are capable of managing our own affairs.
Nana Chairman we have made greater gains in the economy over the past years, all the indicators were pointing in the right directions until the whole world experienced COVID in 2020. A single digit inflation, low interest rate (i.e.low cost of borrowing), and a stable exchange rate. Our over dependence on other countries exposed us when COVID struck. Our President’s call for Ghana beyond aid is good call and we must focus our attention on it. The one district one factory policy is good policy that will propel our country into an industrial economy which will make us more self-reliant.
Ghana over the last few years has become an oil producing country. New oil wells are being discovered as the years go by. As an oil producing country besides positioning our beloved nation for a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has an added opportunity of providing job opportunities to a greater majority of Ghanaians thereby improving levels incomes.
The Planting for Food and Jobs and Planting for Export and Rural Development have also contributed in improving the income levels of many farmers thereby improving on rural livelihoods especially.
Nana Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, this years celebration is on the theme “OUR UNITY, OUR STRENGTH, OUR PURPOSE”. This theme is very appropriate. We are stronger when united and therefore become easier for us to achieve our common purpose.
Nana Chairman the introduction of the paperless transaction at the port, the implementation of the tax stump for all imported goods and goods manufactured in the country, the introduction of Ghana Post GPS address system, the mobile money interoperability and the compulsory registration for Tax Identification Number by Ghana Revenue Authority for tax purposes are among the steps taken by this Government towards the development of a strong and robust economy.
Nana Chairman Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen, as we celebrate the independence of Ghana, we must strive to contribute our quota towards the development of the Upper Denkyira East Municipality by paying our taxes and reminding others to do same. I urge all not to stand aloof and watch when situations are not right. Let your voice be heard, be a vessel for development for your respective communities and let us be remembered for our good works. Let us promote good hygiene in our homes, on the streets and in our respective communities.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me take this opportunity and congratulate the staff of the Assemble and all government department in the Municipality for working so hard over the years for the Municipality. For the first time, our Municipality was adjudged first in Sanitation in the Region. The Municipality was also first in the Region for the District League Table in 2022.
Nana Chairman, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen, every Ghanaian who has some level of employment can promote the development of the local economy by paying taxes to the local Assembly as per the demand notices issued out by the Assembly. This noble task that is required of every person gainfully employed is being avoided by many citizens. It is often said that little drops of water make a mighty ocean. I therefore urge all who live in the Municipality, do business here or have acquired properties within Upper Denkyira East to contribute to the development of the area by paying the appropriate rates willingly.
Nana Chairman, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen We have the human and material resources needed for the development of this nation. We must therefore throw our support towards consolidating the achievements so far in order to attain a higher GDP for the Nation and prosperity and higher income levels for all Ghanaians. It is possible if we are all committed in contributing our little taxes towards the overall development of the country.
Fellow Ghanaians, the most important aspect of our wonderful celebrations is that Ghana is one of the peaceful countries in the world. The annual global peace index placed our country as the most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite our political differences we still live in harmony. Despite our ethnic background we still see ourselves as one people with one common destiny.
Nana Chairman, I want to use this opportunity to make a very passionate appeal to all Chiefs gathered here. In fact, this is my solemn request. I want us to look at our peaceful nature as a country and address all Chieftaincy issues that are impending in the various towns in our Municipality. It must be addressed dispassionately at the Traditional level for peace to continue to prevail in the Municipality.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we on our part must all be vigilant in order to ensure that all our resources including financial and material are put to good use. We must all be committed to avoiding wastage in the use of scares public resources and to also ensure that we report to work on time and leave office only when it is necessary to do so.
Nana Chairman on the Educational front, many more Ghanaian children have the opportunity of attending Senior High School and even higher because of the implementation of the Free Senior School Policy by this Government. The financial burden of education for many parents have been reduced as a result of this Policy. It also gives us the opportunity to train and develop the skills and capabilities of our youths who are the future leaders of our dear nation. I urge all parents to take advantage of the Free Senior High School in order for us the realize the full benefit for the development of the Municipality in particular and Ghana as a whole.
Nana Chairman, peace in Upper Denkyira East is the responsibility of all who live within the boundaries of this Municipality. Let us remain vigilant to ensure that peace remain with us at all times.
To our students and pupils, I urge you all to work harder at your books. As future leaders of this nation you must acquire the requisite knowledge and skill in order to become responsible and effective leaders. You must endeavor to develop and enrich your talents in order to ensure a prosperous future for yourselves and the nation, by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities we have provided in the education sector especially the Free Senior High School program.
I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY 66 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION.
GOD BLESS US ALL.
LONG LIVE GHANA
The MP for UDE also gave a breaf address.