This year’s independence day celebration has been held in Jirapa and is 68th in a series.
What used to be a grand pageant of security services, school children, organized labour and representatives of almost all identifiable groups partaking in parades and and March passes throughout all the districts in the country has been reduced to what the organizers say is a “modest” celebration in order to reduce cost amidst looming economic crises, general hardship and high cost of living.In previous celebrations grand durbars, concerts and public lectures were organized with foreign presidents in attendance in some occasions, a situation the President, John Dramani Mahama thinks those resources could be channelled into more pressing and critical areas.
This year’s event was held at the Flagstaff house where the president said it cost the tax payer GS 1,500 000.00 instead of an estimated minimum of GS 20, 000 000.00 with the president saying that Ghana’s independence can still be remembered and celebrated in a modest way.
In the Jirapa municipality for insurance the parade comprised of 63 school children, three teachers and two police officers commanding the parade with the school children drawn from three schools instead of the much known representation of all the education circuits.
The reviewing officer of the parade was the Municipal Coordinating Director, Majeed Ayariga.
REVIEWING OFFICER OF THE PARADE.
Students from the St. Francis Catholic Junior High School in attendance.
Students of St. Francis SHS.
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Ganaa Memorial Senior High School were fully represented and duly did their part.
Ganaa Memorial SHS.
The all-girl Jirapa Girl’s Model Junior High School showing their prowess during the march-pass.
Jirapa Girl’s Model JHS doing their own thing.
Jirapa Municipal Coordinator, ag. Municipal Chief Executive Officer and reviewing officer of the parade presenting the keynote address, where he had some nuggets of wisdom for the school children and some lessons on civic responsibility the teaming crowd in attendance. He also used the opportunity to re-echo the dangers of the meningitis disease ravaging the Upper West Region and called on all to religiously follow the protocols recommended by health personal and report symptoms to health facilities promptly.
Mr. Majeed Ayariga.
The traditional rulers, the paramount chiefs of Jirapa and Ullo respectively were on the parade ground to offer their support, encouragement, wisdom and unwavering counsel to their grannies.
The Jirapa and Ullo Paramount Chiefs in attendance in full regalia.
The “Tindaana” (custodian of the land) and his elders were present to seek the permission of the forefathers for a successful celebration by “pouring water” or “wetting the ground”. It all came out successful.
The Tindaanba of Jirapa pouring libation.
The Chief Imam of Jirapa offering thanksgiving for a successful event.
Chief Imam.
There was poetry recital from the Mwinbabalah Solid Rock Academy but what worked up the crowd was the performance of a five-year old boy from the St. Raphael’s Kindergarten who play acted the role of a police officer officer, earning him loud applause.
The Poem Reciters.
Some well deserving students who performed creditably well in the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Awardees
Ippire Antoinette from the St. Francis Catholic JHS; Carlos Valentine Duopar Glory Reign JHS; Doosaa Kingsford Solid Rock Academy; Gbiel Evans St. Francis Catholic JHS and Suuri Angelina Mwintiruu Bendito School Complex, received cash amounts of 3, 000.00, 2, 500.00, 2, 000.00, 1, 500.00 and 1, 000.00 respectively from the Member of Parliament (MP) of the Jirapa Constituency based on their performance in the 2024 BECE exams.
The Jirapa constituency secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Hon. Peter Toang, supported by his deputy Hon. Tamimu Issah and other executives of the party presented the cash prizes and expressed the MP’s unflinching willingness to recognize and reward hardworking and deserving students whilst motivating others to do better and also improve the quality of education in the municipality.
The Jirapa Municipal Assembly also presented awards two of the deserving BECE students in the form of cash prizes and citations. Ippire Antoinette received a cash prize of GS 1, 000.00 whilst Carlos Vincent Duopar took home GS 9, 00.00 and a citation.
All three schools that participated in the parade and march pass were presented with trophies.
Some other pictures that our lenses caught.
Parade Commanders Opoampah Larbi & Julius Caesar.
Pupils of the St. Raphael Kindergarten turnout in uniform of their future professions.
