Activities marking the 57th Independence Day Parade at the Black Star Square in Accra was disrupted as a result of a heavy downpour.
The rains which started at 09:05 did not deter President John Dramani Mahama from lighting the perpetual flame in remembrance of the unknown fallen soldiers.
Although some security services were able to march past in the rain, students from both first and second cycle schools as well as some organised bodies could not take their turns.
Delivering his speech, President Mahama described this year’s celebration as the most eventful. Ascribing the downpour to the effects of climate change, the President noted that, “It has not been normal for rainstorms like this to happen at this time of the year, early in March.”
He said although a warning was received from the Meteorological Services Department, it arrived late, making it impossible for the event to be rescheduled.
“What it means is that we must implement climate change adaptability to better able predict the weather. We must sharpen our ability to predict how the weather will behave so we can adapt to it,” he said.
President Mahama however, thanked dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders as well as members of the public who made it to the Black Star Square.
This year’s independence celebrations is themed, “Building a Better and Prosperous Ghana through patriotism and National Unity.”
More soon.