The Upper West Regional Independence Day Celebration was observed in Issa in the Daffiama-Bussie- Issa (DBI) District with scores of people in attendance.
Speaking at the program, the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih called on Ghanaians to harness their thinking for the growth and development of the nation.
He urged the people to eschew unnecessary partisanship and the flagging of their religious, tribal and other differences.
He said to achieve transformational development in the country; it requires sacrifice, hard work and a deep sense of national unity.
The event was on the theme “Our Unity, Our Strength, Our Purpose”.
Dr Bin Salih lamented the current dwindling performance of the region in the Basic Education Certificate Examination.
He said it is sad to note that some schools continue to score zero per cent pass with no hope of the trend ever changing and similar observations can equally be made in the Senior High Schools.
He therefore entreated stakeholders in education to ensure that the trend is reversed.
A total of 580 school children from 16 school were in attendance at the march past parade.
The security services and the cadet corps from Issa Technical Institute and the Dafiama Senior High School also participated in the independence parade.