The Atwima Kwanwoma District in the Ashanti Region joined the rest of the country to commemorate the 69th Independence Day celebration with a call on citizens to remain united and support efforts aimed at driving development and restoring hope in their communities.
The event, held at the Ampabame No. 1 School Park, brought together traditional authorities, government officials, security agencies, teachers, students, and residents who gathered to celebrate Ghana’s independence and reflect on the progress of the nation.
Delivering the keynote address, the District Chief Executive for the district, Hon. Grace Agyemang Asamoah, said the celebration was an important moment for Ghanaians to honour the sacrifices of the country’s forefathers who fought for freedom and self-determination.
She noted that Ghana’s independence was achieved through the vision and determination of leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah and other patriotic pioneers who dreamed of a nation where citizens would have equal opportunities to succeed.
According to her, while the nation celebrates 69 years of independence, it is equally important for citizens to work together to build prosperity and restore hope in communities across the country.
Hon. Agyemang Asamoah explained that the national theme for the celebration, “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope,” highlights the need for development that improves the everyday lives of citizens through job creation, quality education, accessible healthcare and strong local economies.
She stressed that prosperity means creating opportunities for people to work, produce and trade in order to improve their standard of living, while hope involves restoring the confidence of citizens in governance and the future of the country.
The DCE further indicated that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, government remains committed to people-centred governance that prioritises infrastructure development, job creation and inclusive growth across all districts in Ghana.
She said the government strongly believes that no region, district or community should be left behind in the country’s development agenda, adding that development at the district level remains critical to national progress.
Hon. Agyemang Asamoah assured residents that the development of Atwima Kwanwoma continues to be a major priority, stressing that when development reaches local communities, the entire nation benefits.
Highlighting some of the key development initiatives undertaken by the Assembly, she revealed that several roads within the district have been reshaped to improve accessibility and ease transportation.
These include the Nwinsa–Nkwanta–Amoato stretch, roads at Kotwi, Biragokrom and Asaago, as well as the Bekwaime–Kyekyewere road.
According to her, the improvement of these roads has enhanced mobility in the affected communities, facilitated trade and improved access to important services such as education and healthcare.
She also disclosed that the Ampabame No. 1 Bridge has been renovated and maintained to ensure safety and support the smooth movement of people and goods within the district.
In addition, the Assembly has constructed sixteen mechanised boreholes across several communities to improve access to safe drinking water.
Touching on education, the DCE described the sector as a powerful tool for national transformation and emphasised the importance of ensuring that every Ghanaian child has access to quality education.
She indicated that the compound of Afua Kobi Ampem Girls’ Senior High School has been reshaped to enhance accessibility and improve the learning environment.
She further revealed that the construction of a three-unit classroom block at New Ejuampong is ongoing, while a six-unit classroom block at Afasiebon Basic School has also been awarded and is progressing steadily.
As part of efforts to support female students, Hon. Agyemang Asamoah said she donated sanitary pads to students of Afua Kobi Ampem Girls’ Senior High School to promote menstrual hygiene and protect the dignity of young girls.
In the health sector, she disclosed that the Assembly has commenced the construction of three Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds at Asaago, Nweneso No. 1 and Nweneso No. 3 to improve healthcare delivery within the district.
She also urged residents to support the District Health Directorate in the fight against non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cervical cancer and breast cancer by adopting healthy lifestyles and participating in regular health screening.
Hon. Agyemang Asamoah further highlighted agriculture as a key driver of the district’s economy.
She explained that under the government’s Feed Ghana Model, the Assembly implemented the Nkokonkitinkiti Project, which involved the distribution of 5,000 chickens to 118 households to support poultry farming, particularly among women and the youth.
Additionally, 9,000 oil palm seedlings were distributed to farmers to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods.
On sanitation, the DCE noted that the Assembly has evacuated seven major refuse dump sites across the district while providing skip containers to various communities.
She added that sanitary equipment has been distributed to all 33 electoral areas, while 60 dustbins have already been supplied to basic schools, with 70 more expected to be distributed to communities.
Hon. Agyemang Asamoah emphasised that maintaining a clean environment is essential for promoting good health and improving productivity in the district.
She also highlighted the significance of Ashantifest, a cultural celebration in the Ashanti Region that aims to promote tourism, culture and economic activities.
According to her, the festival provides districts such as Atwima Kwanwoma with an opportunity to showcase their rich cultural heritage, attract visitors and support local businesses.
The DCE further spoke about the government’s proposed 24-hour economy initiative, which she described as a transformative policy aimed at increasing productivity, empowering businesses and creating employment opportunities for the youth.
Addressing school children who participated in the march past, she encouraged them to remain disciplined, work hard and believe in their abilities, stressing that they represent the future of the district and the nation.
She concluded by calling on citizens, traditional leaders, government institutions and the private sector to work together in unity to build prosperity and restore hope in the country.
The celebration featured a colourful march past by school children and cultural displays as residents joined the rest of the nation in commemorating Ghana’s independence.
