Saturday, March 12, 2011

54TH INDEPENDENCE PARADE HELD ON SUNDAY 6TH MARCH 2011 AT WALEWALE

SPEECH BY THE DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HON. SULLEY ABUDU ZAKARIA

Hon. Assembly Members Elect,District Director of Education, Heads of Departments, Heads of Security Agencies, Mba Wungnaba and Elders, Teachers and School Children, Civil Society Organisations, Political Parties, The Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today marks yet another celebration of our independence Day from the British Colonial rule in 1957. Indeed, Ghana is 54 years old today as a sovereign and independent state. This is a remarkable or worthy achievement.

This year’s celebration is under the theme “DISCIPLINE AND HARD WORK, ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE FOR A BETTER GHANA”. The ideals set forth by our founding fathers through the independence struggle was largely as a result of discipline and hard work. All nations of the world over have grown and developed in strength, influence and prosperity through hard work and sacrifice of their citizens. We as Ghanaian s must therefore abhor laziness and remain focused in our approach to national issues so that we will help Government achieve its vision of Better Ghana.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our nation needs disciplined, hardworking and talented people to remain competitive in this highly globalized and technological world. It takes tremendous discipline to control the influence and power that one has over other peoples lives. Often, we find ourselves in a bad situation and often, you feel like giving up. It is at such times that you need to energize yourself with inspirational thoughts. Harry E. Fosdick said “No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed and no life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined”.

I am delighted to state that today is a memorable moment and an ideal opportunity for us as Ghanaian s to take stock of the journey we have traveled over the last 54 years and to reflect on the road ahead.

We should not be content with our achievements so far but rather be concerned with what the future has for us. In today’s world, social, economic and political development relies heavily on discipline and hard work which can propel our people especially the youth to competitive careers.

Ladies and Gentlemen, on its part, Government is committed to ensuring that Ghanaian s, especially the youth have access to globally competitive quality education and training. The aim of the NDC Government is to give every young Ghanaian a fair chance of life by equipping them with knowledge and skills that will enable them secure decent livelihoods in an increasingly competitive global environment. As part of this commitment, Government continues to allocate the education sector the largest share of national budget. The large allocation is intended to allow for implementation of priority projects and programmes that will facilitate overall national development as well as enhance individual well being. These projects and programmes include the distribution of free exercise books and uniforms, increase in the capitation grant, continuation and expansion of the School Feeding Programme, eradication of schools under trees, rapid infrastructural development in Senior High Schools, and many others in the sector across the country. These efforts of the Government are not enough on their own. Success will only come out of discipline and hard work by Pupils, Students, Teachers, Supervisors, Board of Governors, Directors and indeed all and sundry. We all need to work closely in providing guidance to our young ones so that they grow up as a generation of educated and responsible people who are disciplined and hardworking. To you the future leaders, I appeal to you to avoid drugs, substance abuse, alcohol, promiscuity and other social evils.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me touch on a subject of concern to Government which is the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). Government has taken note of the difficulties that arose out of the implementation for Ghana Education Service staff. All efforts are being put in place to address these problems. Let me humbly use his platform especially in the context of the theme for the celebration to appeal to our dear and colleague teachers to exercise patience and avoid abandoning teaching. Together, we shall overcome through the hard work that you have displayed over the years.

Indeed, we just saw the presentation of prizes to teachers who worked hard and were awarded by the Best Teacher Awards Committee in the District. On behalf of the Chiefs and People of the District, I extend special commendation to them for their dedicated service and hard work. There is no doubt that it will have a positive impact on their work. I wish to urge those who did not win to also work hard so that they can also win awards in the future. The Assembly will continue to support this noble exercise.

Let me inform you especially our religious bodies that as part of the celebration, there will be national thanksgiving from the 11th to 13th March, 2011. On the 11th March 2011, our Moslem Brothers and Sisters are to offer prayers for the nation. Saturday 12th March and Sunday 13th March, 2011 will be the turn of our Christian Brothers and Sisters to do same. I call on the leadership of these groups to support this exercise.

Whiles I wish you all a happy 54th Independence Anniversary Celebration, I wish to state that there is no life without difficulties. We must appreciate these difficulties, sort out our differences in a transparent and cordial manner without rancor and acrimony so that we can build the Better Ghana that we all desire.

Thank you and God Bless you All.

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