Bear with the temporary inconveniences

Mr Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President on Friday asked Ghanaians to bear with inconveniences that they might suffer during the Golden Jubilee, saying any shortcoming would be temporary.

He said this was the first time Ghana was hosting 30 Heads of State and their entourage from about 70 countries and security measures have to be strictly adhered to and sometimes with the halt of traffic. He thus appealed to Ghanaians to tolerate such situations with the usual proverbial Ghanaian hospitality to make the celebration a trouble free one.

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra to outline events, accreditation procedures and the general comportment of the public, Mr Awuni noted that security was going to be very tight and strict and that people should take the necessary precautions to avoid embarrassment. He said over 500 journalists have applied for accreditation out of which 300 are from the international media and mentioned Cable News Network (CNN), British Broadcasting Corporation, OBE TV of London and South Africa Broadcasting Corporation as some of international media covering the event.

"The world media would descend on Ghana," he added.

Mr Awuni said the Kofi Annan ICT centre would be used as a press centre for the international media which would have a 30-computer facility, provision for laptop users, GT Phone booths and a cafeteria. Mrs Oboshie Sai Coffie, Deputy Minister, Information and National Orientation said some of the events to climax the celebration included the re-enactment of the independence declaration at Parliament.

It would be followed by a street party on the High Street, Accra which would draw a cream of musicians from Highlife to hip life including C K Mann, Kojo Antwi and Papa Yankson and others to keep a vigil on Monday March 5 with the grand parade at the Independence Square and such parades are to be held as Golden Jubilee Parades nationwide and the cutting of the biggest anniversary cake.