As early as 5 a.m. the Jubilee Park was filled with schoolchildren who did not want to be left out of the anniversary.

The parade started as early as 7:15 a.m., with the Regional Minister, Mr Bede Ziedeng, as the reviewing officer.

The Brong Ahafo Regional celebration of the event took place at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani where schoolchildren and a contingent of the security services participated in the anniversary march past, reports Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah.

Members of some identifiable groups and companies, such as the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took part in the march past.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, who took the salute and read the President’s address, said it was the turn of the current generation of Ghanaians to build on the foundation laid by the forefathers.

From Koforidua, Nana Konadu Agyeman reports that a contingent of security personnel, together with students from 15 junior high schools and 12 second-cycle institutions, was led by Major B. B. Basuglo of the First Infantry Battalion at the Michel Camp to take part in the parade at the Jackson Park.

They were addressed by the outgoing Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Victor E. Smith, who read the President’s speech.

Schools that excelled during the march past were honoured, with the Church of Christ JHS and the New Juaben SHS being adjudged the overall best in the basic and second-cycle schools categories, respectively.

In Takoradi, the occasion was used to reward students who excelled in the 2012 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination in the Western Region, reports Kwame Asiedu Marfo.

Ms Esther Rutherbell Baidoo, formerly of the Shama Senior High School (SHS), won the first prize in the WASSCE category, while the second prize was won by Ms Irene Oboshie Sai, formerly of Archbishop Porter Girls’ Senior High School and now at the University of Ghana, Legon, reading Administration.

Master Frederick Rowell, formerly of Baidoo Bonsoe Senior High/Technical School, came third.

Shirley Asiedu-Addo reports from Cape Coast that personnel from the security services and selected junior and senior high schools students in the Cape Coast metropolis took part in the march past during the independence anniversary in Cape Coast.

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Ebenezer Kwodwo Addo, who read the President’s address, said Ghanaians must not be complacent in Ghana’s development gains but strive towards achieving excellence in political independence, economic prosperity, a literate population, a healthy people, peace and self respect on the continent.

He advised young people to eschew negative behaviours that had the potential to ruin their future.

From Tamale, Vincent Amenuveve reports that a contingent of 1,800 schoolchildren from primary, junior and senior high schools, voluntary organisations and the various security services participated in the colourful and well-attended parade at the Jubilee Park in Tamale.

In attendance were the caretaker Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Mabengba, heads of department, chiefs and the public.

Side attractions were gymnastic displays and cultural performances.

Emmanuel Modey reports from Ho that personnel of the security services and schoolchildren, under the command of Captain Larry Kwesi Boateng, took part in  anniversary parade held at the Ho Jubilee Park.

The salute was taken by Mr Henry Ametefe, the acting Volta Regional Minister, who later read the President's speech.

After reading the speech, Mr Ametefe presented two footballs and certificates to primary, junior and senior high schools and cadet corps which excelled in the march past.

In the Agona East District, 11 basic schools and six senior high schools participated in the march past during the district celebration of the Independence anniversary held at the Presbyterian School Park, reports Gilbert Mawuli Agbey.

Taking the salute were Mr Martin Luther Obeng, the Agona East District Chief Executive; Mrs Gillian Asare Addo, the District Director of Education, and the Agona Nyakrom District Police Commander, Supt Joseph N.K. Ackah.

In the Agona West municipality, 24 basic schools and eight senior high schools took part in the independence parade held at the Swedru Sports Stadium.

The Agona West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Oppong; the Member of Parliament for Agona West, Mr. Charles Obeng-Inkoom, the Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Francis Obeng Ampadu, among others, took the salute during the march past.

Delivering his address, Mr Oppong bemoaned the indiscriminate way in which waste is disposed at unapproved places in the municipality and appealed to residents to keep their surroundings clean to prevent the spread of insanitary related diseases such ac cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.

Rose Hayford Darko reports that in the Kpone Katamanso District,16 basic schools took part in the parade, with the District Chief Executive, Alhaji  Antie Tetteh, the Kpone District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Abraham Apusiyene, and Mrs Ivy  Kumi, the Deputy Director of Human Resource at the Tema Education Directorate, taking the salute.

The skilful display of traditional highlife and Adowa dance by the  Amammereso Cultural Troupe from the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi  stole the show at the independence celebration held  at the Jackson Jubilee Park  in Kumasi, reports George Ernest Asare.

Moments before the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong, read the President’s address, the cultural troupe  took the floor, and with an American artiste in their mist, displayed their traditional dancing skills that drew long applause from the audience.

The Deduako Special School, which also participated in the parade, showed class in their slow and quick march, making it possible for them to win a special award  during the celebration.

Benjamin Xornam Glover reports from Bolgatanga that the Upper East Regional celebration featured schoolchildren and security personnel in the parade.

The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive,  Mr Edward Ayagle, read the President's anniversary address.

At Kasoa in the Central Region, the Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School emerged winners in this year’s march past to commemorate Ghana’s 56th Independence anniversary, writes Dominic Moses Awiah.

It was organised by the Ga South Municipal Assembly and 570 schoolchildren and their teachers took part in the three-hour event.

The Ga South Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Jerry Akwei Thompson, who read the President’s address, urged Ghanaians to use the occasion to put behind them past mistakes and forge ahead with a more united front to confront the problems and challenges that faced the country.

At Adenta Barrier, a number of schoolchildren from the La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly took part in a parade to mark the occasion, writes Ruby Efe Ani-Adjei.

The pupils, who were selected from 25 schools, marched at the West Africa Senior High School Park.

Speaking at the event, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Franklin Anku, called on Ghanaians to appreciate the toils of their patriotic fathers who paid with their lives to obtain independence for the country by collectively building on the foundation which they had laid.

From Tongo, Alhandu Abdul-Hamid reports that the District Chief Executive for Talensi, Mr Awunnore Edward, exhorted the youth of the district to continue to live in peace with one another  in order to attract investors for development.

He said the district required a peaceful environment to attract investments to the various sectors for the common good.

Thirty-one schools participated in the anniversary parade which was witnessed by heads of departments, assembly members and a cross-section of the public.

Story by Graphic Reporters