On the 6th of March 2024, a distressing incident unfolded at the Tamale Jubilee Park during the Independence Day parade. Reports indicate that a total of 44 students and 26 security personnel collapsed amidst the scorching sun while participating in the event.
The harrowing scene saw individuals succumbing to the heat after standing for hours, as they endured the sweltering weather conditions. Prompt action was taken by officials from the Ghana Red Cross Society, Ambulance Service, and other health workers who swiftly rushed to their aid.
Yakubu Amin Abukari, the acting Northern Regional Manager for the Red Cross Society, shed light on the severity of the situation. He disclosed that a staggering 72 individuals were affected, including six soldiers, five policemen, seven prison officers, six firefighters, and two immigration officers.
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Mr. Abukari attributed the collapses to a combination of factors, emphasizing that many of the students had not eaten breakfast prior to the parade. Additionally, the intense heat prevailing in the region exacerbated the situation. Shockingly, he also mentioned that some students experienced spiritual attacks, prompting the deployment of specialized assistance.
This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of prioritizing the well-being of participants in such events, with calls for better preparation and support systems to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Ghana’s 67th Independence Day grand celebration was held in Koforidua, located in the Eastern Region.
The event was graced by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, and various diplomats, marks the first-ever National Independence Day celebration in the region.
Themed “Our Democracy Our Pride,” the celebration was being held at the newly inaugurated 5,000-seater Koforidua Youth Resource Center.
Moreover, ceremonies are being conducted in selected municipalities in Accra, including a march in the Korley Klottey Municipality, hosted at the esteemed Accra High School.
As the parade inspection proceeds, anticipation mounts for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s Independence Day speech.