President inaugurates Ghana@60 Planning Committee

BY KENNETH SACKEY
Accra, Jan. 26, GNA - President Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Thursday, inaugurated a 30-member Committee to plan for the celebration of Ghana's 60 th Independence Anniversary on March 6.

The Committee, which has just six weeks to plan the event, is to be chaired by Mr Ken Amankwah, a media and public relations consultant, and a former Deputy Director-General of the Ghana broadcasting Corporation.

President Akufo-Addo, in inaugurating the Committee at the Flagstaff House in Accra, said it was befitting that Ghana celebrated its 60th Anniversary considering its symbolism and the many milestones the country had chalked democratically since independence.

He said: 'I believe it is right and proper to celebrate it (60th Anniversary) especially on a symbolic occasion like this…. Even though the country is going through difficult economic times, we still have a lot to celebrate as Ghanaians and I believe that will be the real purpose of the celebration of the 60th anniversary.'

President Akufo-Addo said the celebration of the milestone should be modest and take into account the constraining economic situation of the country.

However, he said, it should be elegant, saying, 'We should have a god feeling about ourselves.

'We have to celebrate our oneness and unity no matter the diversity of opinion, beliefs or religion…we are all fully paid-up members of the Ghana project. This celebration should advance that sense of unity and oneness,' he said.

President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana's democratic record was unparalleled, having had the longest period of political stability since the inauguration of the Fourth Republic in 1993, with 24 years of unbroken constitutional development; and a period where three successful peaceful transitions of power, coupled with the success of the last election called for celebration.

He said the Ghanaian people had manifested in a dignified and solemn manner the desire to change political direction making Ghana the toast of democracy on the continent.

'The last election has strengthened considerably Ghana's democratic credentials as a nation …We have become a beacon in the development of democracy in Africa,' he said.

The committee has representation from the various security agencies, the Presidency and the Ministries.

It would apprise government on plans and activities that would culminate in the anniversary celebration proper.

GNA