Independence Day- 6th March

Independence Day

On Wednesday 6^th March 2013, Ghana celebrated its 56^th birthday.

Ghana was the first African country in the British Commonwealth to gain post war independence. Although a quick scan through the record of elections, coups and changes of leadership suggest crises and upheavals, modern Ghana is a largely peaceful country with the last general election, in December 2012, conducted peacefully. (The resulting victory for the incumbent NDC continues to be contested by the main opposition party, the NPP.)

Aside from the official celebrations in Accra, throughout Ghana, local events, some prepared over weeks and months, take place both during the day time and into the evening.  Schools take pride in training pupils to march smartly, with daily rehearsals commencing two weeks in advance, with skilled drummers among their numbers.

Children from Zebilla Primary rehearse, class by class, on the parade ground in front of the school- known locally as the "field."

Drummers maintain a steady rhythm from 8 am until around 10 am each day during the rehearsal period.

District Assemblies- rather like our local councils in the UK- organize an annual parade to take place at a stadium, sports’ field or similar gathering place. Funding is provided to transport 30-40 chosen pupils from each local school to the venue.

As I am on vacation in Elmina, with visiting daughter Rosie, I take advice on where and when to watch the nearest parade. Acting on instructions, we are up and ready promptly, and deposited at an almost empty football field before 8 am, the time stated on the Programme of Events. 

The parade ground- once filled and ready for action.

Over the next 90 minutes a steady stream of participants arrive:- school pupils and teachers, army cadets, musicians from a silver band, soldiers, uniformed support from the police, ambulance and fire services plus women elegantly balancing baskets and cool boxes on their heads, ready to sell fried snacks, sweets and “ess pia watta” (iced pure water) to the gathering audience. I assumed a predictable pattern to events, all knowing where to stand and patiently wait. As temperatures rose I was thankful we were seated, and shaded under a long row of portable gazebos lined with rows of folding chairs.

Wailing of police car sirens alerted all to the arrival of the dignitaries, representing the civic and the traditional. The heads of the District Assembly, Education and Health services, the Chief of Police, the principle Elder or local Chief and the Queen Mother took their places on a raised covered stage draped with the red, gold and green of the Ghana flag.

The silver band played the national anthem, the army cadets marched in formation, the soldiers presented ceremonial swords, the Ghana flag was raised: all was done with a formality and precision familiar to a British observer, but with a rhythmic, lyrical, dance-like execution.