The Savannah Region today marked Ghana’s 67th Independence Anniversary with a grand celebration at the Damongo SHS sports oval in the West Gonja Municipality. The event served as a platform for a fervent call for sustainable peace and unity, particularly as the nation approaches the 2024 general elections.
The celebration, themed ‘Our Democracy Our Pride,’ drew a diverse gathering, including Chiefs and Queen Mothers, youth and women’s groups, security agencies, Hon. Assembly Members, clergy, heads of departments, schoolchildren, teachers, and cultural troupes.
Delivering the keynote address, Savannah Regional Minister Muhazu Saeed Jibril urged all residents to prioritize collective peace over individual interests. “For the Savannah region, my clarion call is that we must do everything humanly possible to sustain the peace and unity of the region before, during, and after the elections,” he emphasized. He stressed the importance of tolerance and urged citizens to view political opponents not as enemies but as fellow Ghanaians.
Minister Jibril highlighted the upcoming elections as a crucial test of Ghana’s democratic strength. “This year’s election is another opportunity for us to prove to the whole world that yes, Ghana is the star of Africa,” he declared, linking the independence theme to the need for a positive disposition towards the electoral process.
He lauded Ghana’s 32 years of continuous multi-party democracy, celebrating freedom of the media, peaceful elections, and seamless transitions of power, even between incumbent and opposition parties. This consistent democratic success, he noted, aligns with Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which advocates for peaceful and inclusive societies.
The Minister echoed President Akufo-Addo’s recent State of the Nation address, acknowledging Ghanaians’ “admirable commitment to multi-party democracy” and their rejection of calls for violent overthrow of elected governments. He further highlighted the creation of the Savannah Region five years ago as a tangible benefit of Ghana’s democratic journey, leading to improved infrastructure, access to education and healthcare, and the empowerment of youth and women.
Concluding his address, Minister Jibril appealed to all Ghanaians to reflect on the nation’s democratic progress and to continue upholding the principles for which their forebears sacrificed. “Let democracy continue to be our pride,” he urged, reinforcing the message of unity and national interest above all.
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