Visitors have flooded Tamale metropolis as it hosts the 62nd Independence Day Parade today.
As early as 6:00 a.m. yesterday thousands of visitors from all walks of lives arrived in the metropolis for the historic event.
The UK Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Iain Walker, US Ambassador, Mrs Stephanie Sullivan and other foreign dignitaries have also arrived for the independence parade here.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Yaa-Naa Abukari Mahama II, Yo-Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani and Mion-Lana Abdulai Mahammudu were among the first dignitaries to have arrived for the anniversary.
The 62nd anniversary celebration which is under the theme, “Celebrating Peace and Unity” is being held at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium here in Tamale.
Tamale, the Northern Regional capital is the first to host the national Independence Day Parade outside the national capital, Accra making it historic.
The Nigerien President, Mahamadou Issoufou is the guest of honour for the 62nd Independence Day Parade while President Nana Addo-Dankwa-Akufo-Addo will take the national salute at the parade.
Tamale in particular and the Northern Region as a whole, has never witnessed the number and caliber of visitors that have thronged the area for the ceremony.
The celebration of the day in Tamale is a move aimed at cementing the peace and unity chalked up in Dagbon in particular and the region as a whole.
Dagbon until recently was experiencing intermittent violent conflicts due to the protracted chieftaincy crisis.
It took the decisive leadership of President Akufo-Addo to find lasting solution to the two decade old protracted chieftaincy crisis.
There is huge vehicular traffic in the Tamale metropolis and the Sangnarigu municipality.
The residents are overwhelmed by the activities of the 62nd Independence Day celebration here.
Some businesses are making it big as visitors and indigenes are patronising items such as smocks and other traditional attires.
Former President John Dramani Mahama and his entourage are also here to observe the historic event.
FROM YAKUBU ABDUL-MAJEED, TAMALE
