Former Chief Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo has advised that Ghana use the money set aside for the Independence Day parades to build infrastructure in less developed districts. For her, simply commemorating the day with parades in various districts and areas will not serve the citizens' interests as well as establishing memorial facilities that can benefit current and future generations. Instead of alternating the celebration of the day in the region, the legal juggernaut believes it is more acceptable to rotate independence day projects in the regions and districts. Ms. Akuffo was speaking to Accra-based radio station Citi FM on the margins of a public lecture on Ghana's 66th Independence Day hosted by the University of Ghana.
"It would be nice if they chose an impoverished district to build a new school there, and then chose a run-down hospital or health center and upgraded it, designating it Independence school or hospital," she stated.
Furthermore, she said, "Then, every year, we choose a region, a project, and carry it out—I believe it will be money better spent if it is spent at all. This will immediately help the people and will be long-lasting."
This year's national Independence Day parade will take place in Ho, the Volta Regional capital. The Ho Youth Resource Centre will host the event. The initial capacity of 5,000 people is being increased to 10,000 persons. Background Independence Day is an official state holiday celebrated on March 6 in Ghana and the Ghanaian Diaspora. Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from British colonial authority. Independence Day is a chance to reassert both national unity and national sovereignty.
