The 67th Independence Day celebration euphoria is building up in Koforidua, the capital town of the Eastern Region, where the event is scheduled to take place, for the first time in the country’s history.
Already, the celebration had been launched at the Koforidua Centre for National Culture (CNC), by the Anniversary Planning Committee.
Plans are advanced to host many important visitors, including the Ivorian President Alassane Quattara, Special Guest of Hour, who would converge on Koforidua from across and outside the country, to witness the memorable celebration, on Wednesday, March 6.
The Ghana Air Force has started surveillance as helicopters fly over Adweso, a suburb of Koforidua at the 5, 000 capacity Eastern Regional multi-purpose Youth Resource Centre, built to host the event.
The police and other security agents are patrolling the regional capital, while rehearsals by the security services and school children take place at the Youth Resource Centre and the Koforidua Jubilee Park.
Principal streets and town roads are being repaired, to facilitate transportation of the local people and visitors.
The Ministry of Energy is assessing and fixing street lights to ensure their effective illumination to brighten the Koforidua town.
When the Ghanaian Times on Monday visited some hotels in Koforidua, the reporter observed that the facilities were full with guests, attempting to secure lodging places ahead of the event.
The Eastern Regional Secretary of the Hoteliers Association, Thompson Boateng, disclosed that members were preparing to accommodate the guests.
He indicated that management of hotels had been advised to put in place security measures, including installation of CCTV cameras at vantage points.
“We have also organised training for some staff of the various hotels in the Koforidua Municipality, to enable them to be able to meet international standards, as guests coming in would include people from outside the country.
“We would want to give the best quality of services and so we have asked the hotels’ chefs to ensure that the food prepared and served are prepared under hygienic conditions,” Mr Boateng assured.
The reporter also learnt from operators of pubs, restaurants and chop bars that they were preparing feverishly towards the day.
The manager of Bar 205, situated near the Eastern Regional Youth Centre, Mr Emmanuel Oliver Wiafe, said he would organise Independence Day Jam and fun games as well as normal restaurant services.
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, said he was collaborating with the Ghana Air Force to organise a free flight tour for school children in the constituency on the Independence Day.
He said: “We would organise a Health Walk and Gobε party on March 2, and One District, One Factory exhibition, on March 4 to 6 this year.”
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, said 40,000 Ghanaian flags would be hoisted in the Koforidua town, to gather momentum for the Independence Day celebration.
FROM AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA
