Four Collapse At Parade

Hon. Aidoo flanked by Madam Rebecca FOUR PERSONS collapsed yesterday while on parade to commemorate the country's 52nd Independence Anniversary at the Takoradi Jubilee Grounds in the Western Region.

The four, who were smartly dressed in their respective uniforms, comprised two security personnel and two students from a second cycle institution at Sekondi.

But for the timely intervention of personnel of the Ghana Red Cross Society and that of the St. John's Ambulance, who rushed in to give them first aid treatment, the casualties would have been lying on the parade grounds until the end of the programme.

A security officer who spoke to DAILY GUIDE under anonymity pointed out that those on parade were not supposed to offer any help to their colleagues who collapse while on parade.

He described the incident as normal, as it happens almost every year at the 6th March independence parade and other military parades. He attributed it partly to the long hours they had to be on their feet at the parade grounds.

The 52nd Western Regional Independence Anniversary parade was made up of 10 officers and 640 men and women drawn from the security services and students from first and second cycle institutions in the region with the Fire Service Band in attendance.

The contingent, led by the parade commander, Lt. Commander Faustina Adjoa Boakyewaa Anokye, put up a splendid performance during the march-past to the admiration of the spectators who could not help but applaud.

This year's independence anniversary celebration is on the theme, “Unity and Peace- Pillars for National Development”.

The Regional Minister, Hon. Paul Evans Aidoo who was the reviewing officer of the parade, commended the security agencies, teachers and students for their turn-out.

He advised students in the region to pursue courses related to the oil industry so that they could secure employment in the oil business and exploration that would take off in the region next year.

Hon. Aidoo indicated that the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would focus more on transparent and accountable governance, strong economy for real jobs, investing in people and expanding infrastructure for economic growth.

He added that the attainment of these objectives would require a lot of hard work on the part of everybody, adding, “We are one people with a common destiny and therefore nothing should be allowed to destroy the peace and unity in the country.”

He appealed to civil servants to eschew negative tendencies and work hard at their respective offices.

The minister also asked them to offer the government the needed support for accelerated economic growth.

He paid glowing tribute to the gallant forebears of the country, particularly the “Big Six” which included the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who sacrificed a lot to make Ghana's independence possible.

Awards were given to Archbishop Porter Girls' Senior High School for coming first in the march-past and other students who excelled in last year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Certificate Examination (WACE).

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi