The historic hosting of the 62nd national independence parade in the Northern regional capital, Tamale, was meant to celebrate the peace deal reached between the Abudu and Andani gates of Dagbon, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has explained.
Since Independence in 1957, the national parade has been held at the Black Stare Square in Accra, the national capital.
Government however decided to, for the first time, move the Independence Anniversary Parade outside Accra, and Tamale became the first stop.
The anniversary is under the theme: “Celebrating Peace and Unity”.
“Tamale was chosen as the venue, not only to underline the unity of our nation, but also to express the appreciation of the nation of the peace, of the process of reconciliation that have engulfed Dagbon since the enskinment of the Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II as the Overlord of Dagbon,” the President said as he addressed an ecstatic and colourful parade on Wednesday.
Following the murder of the Overlord of Dagbon Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II in 2002, the two royal gates engaged in intermittent deadly clashes. However, after almost two decades of mediation by three eminent chiefs, a peace deal was finally reached and a new Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II was installed on January 25.
President Akufo-Addo therefore remarked that Dagbon has a good reason to celebrate the prevailing peace in the area after years of disturbances.
“After decades of being identified with unrest and disharmony, Dagbon has good reason to celebrate, and it is fitting that we use the opportunity of our independence anniversary celebration to converge here and celebrate with them on the theme of peace and unity.”
The President noted, “On March 6, when we celebrate the independence of Ghana, we celebrate the strength that comes from speaking with a united voice. We celebrate the coming together of different peoples to make the united and strong nation of Ghana.”
