"Free Forever"

This was how Kwame Nkrumah described Ghana when he first declared independence on March 6th, 1957. His country was the first independent nation amongst former colonies in Africa, leading its peers by calling for freedom, justice, equity, and Pan-Africanism. Today, Ghana boasts a stable, multiparty democracy and continues to be a leader in development.

Students from Humjibre have been preparing for 6th March all week; practicing their marching, salutes, and cleaning and pressing their uniforms so they can look their very best on Independence Day. Even in the evenings, children constructed makeshift drums to try their hand in hopes of someday leading the march. On the day of independence, everybody in town came out to see the students from the four local schools; District Assembly, Anglican, Wireko Memorial and Deeper, perform.

Festivities began with students marching from the Anglican church through town to the football park.

A local band led them in their steps.

Once students from all the schools arrived at the park, Assemblywoman Madam Janet began with a speech.

Each group of students then marched by and saluted. Even the youngest nursery students took part. Some of these students required extra coaxing to stay in line.

Each group prepared a march and different salute to show to the crowd. Wireko Memorial boys marched like soldiers.

District Assembly boys took a knee to salute.

Deeper girls gained approval by saluting with a popular dance style.

Deeper girls saluted with a Ghana flag.

Anglican girls saluted with a sign that read “Peace.”

Students were not the only group to take part in the march. Farmers and other groups joined in at the back of the line to represent the important contributions they make to their nation.

Ghana’s Coat of Arms as posted in the Soroano Public Information Services office.

To learn Ghana’s national anthem, click here.

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