Thousands of Ghanaians thronged the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale to witness the 62nd National Independence Day Parade.
The celebration was on the theme:” Peace and Unity”.
President Akufo-Addo, who is also the Commander-Chief of the GAF, accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwa, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr David Asante-Appeatu, reviewed the parade.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia; former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Dramani Mahama; the Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe; the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye; the Chief Justice, Ms Sophia Akuffo, and the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei Opare.
Also in attendance were traditional rulers, including the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II; the
Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, and the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa.
The large crowd was treated to beautiful displays by personnel of the security agencies, schoolchildren and various groups during the march past.
Incredible renditions of patriotic songs by the mass band of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the police vibrated inside the 20,000-seater stadium.
A total of 61 officers and 602 men and women of the security services, comprising the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Police Service, the Prisons Service, the Fire Service, the Immigration Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, (GRA) took part in the parade.
In addition, 560 teachers, students and pupils from selected basic and second-cycle schools participated in the march past.
The smartly dressed officers, men and women of the security services received applause from the large crowd.
Another aspect of the excitement was the acrobatic display by GAF Physical Training instructors.
Also on display was the equipment of the GAF, the Police Service and the Fire Service to showcase their readiness to protect the country at all times.
The mass band of the GAF and the Police Service was not left out, as the bandsmen displayed their dexterity with their musical instruments.
The President also lit the anniversary flame to give meaning to the national significance of the day.
Another aspect of the event that set the stadium agog was the beautiful display by a cultural troupe which depicted the dance and culture of the various ethnic groups in the Northern Region.
The five-hour parade came to an end after the Guest of Honour, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, and his host, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had delivered their speeches.
