President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has emphasized the importance of democracy towards Ghana’s development during his address in Koforidua in commemoration of the country’s 67^th Independence Day celebration, attributing it to the theme for the occasion “OUR DEMOCRACY, OUR PRIDE”.

President Akufo-Addo in his address stressed the importance of democracy, noting Ghana’s journey in crafting its democratic system post-independence and acknowledged the country’s progress in electoral practices but emphasized the need for continuous improvement, particularly in embracing technology responsibly to ensure transparency.

The President further underscored the significance of the rule of law in fostering economic prosperity, urging all citizens, including public officials and leaders, to abide by it.

“All the defining elements of a democracy, that are part of our governance architecture today, we have had to fabricate ourselves. Everything we know about elections today, and we know quite a bit, we have learned through hard practice, and, in the past thirty-one (31) years, we have been stable.
“We have not got a perfect system, but, every time we have had elections during this 4th Republic, it has been an improvement on the previous occasion”.
President Akufo-Addo

The President during his address also commended the tradition of rotating Independence Day celebrations across the country, reinforcing national unity and showcasing the rich history embedded in various regions.

Highlighting the Eastern Region’s pivotal role in Ghana’s struggle for independence, President Akufo-Addo paid tribute to the Big Six members from the region, emphasizing their significant contributions to the country’s founding.

He also acknowledged the diverse and harmonious nature of the Eastern Region, describing it as a “microcosm” of Ghana.

Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo delved into the historical significance of the Eastern Region, recognizing its role in the cocoa industry’s inception, the establishment of educational institutions, and its cultural contributions, particularly in beadworks and traditional values.

Free Senior High School Policy Features In President Akufo-Addo’s Address

While celebrating the successes of the government’s flagship Free Senior High School policy, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges in the country’s educational sector, emphasizing the importance of preparing Ghanaian youth for the modern world, particularly in science and technology.

Turning to economic prospects, President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism about two major projects, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) alumina refinery, and the Ada Songhor Salt project, and further noted that these projects will significantly impact industrialization, job creation, and economic growth.

He also called for a renewed commitment to environmental conservation, cautioning against the reckless disregard for Ghana’s natural resources by some citizens.

“Fellow Ghanaians, on the day we celebrate our nationhood, we cannot and should not leave out a reference to the physical state of the land that constitutes Ghana. We cannot claim to love Ghana when we treat it with such disdain and total careless abandon, the forests, the rivers, the vegetation, the creatures, and the soils that makeup Ghana’
President Akufo-Addo

Commenting on the flood that affected several communities in the Volta Region as a result of the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams, President Akufo-Addo pledged his government’s commitment to provide significant support for the affected communities, highlighting the allocation of funds by the government for the rehabilitation of the affected communities.

He added that as set out in the 2024 budget, the government has set aside two hundred and twenty million cedis (GH¢220 million), of which eighty million cedis (GH¢80 million) has already been released by the Ministry of Finance, to support the ongoing rehabilitation efforts for the affected communities.

The President concluded by anticipating the 13th African Games, set to be officially opened in Accra on March 8, expressing hope for a successful event and teasing a potentially exciting month for visitors.

In his closing remarks, President Akufo-Addo reiterated Ghana’s commitment to being a shining example for Africa, both in democratic governance and economic prosperity, and wished all Ghanaians a happy 67th Independence Day Celebration, invoking blessings on the nation and its people.