Immaculate strides by Chief Inspector J.W Ansah, Band Marshal, set the tone for a splendid parade by contingents to mark the 50th Anniversary of Ghana's independence at the just completed Jubilee Square in Ho.

It was perhaps the most patronized Independence Day parade in Ho in recent memory.

Captain Nii Laryea Odumang of the 66th Artillery Regiment commanded the parade made of contingents from 41 schools and colleges, the Military, Police, Customs, Prisons Fire and Immigration services.

By 0800hours the parade grounds was brimming with people, with some invited guests seated even before tags identifying seating positions could be fixed.

People in the melee virtually fell over each other in attempts to view the contingents marching, with many perched in pickup vehicles and in other precarious positions.

Some climbed on a ladder mounted on top of an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) pickup, while many others watched from the upper corridors of the office of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.

Attempts by the security to cordon off areas behind the dais where dignitaries were seated failed because of the sheer numbers pushing.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, the Volta Regional Minister, took the salute and later read the President's Jubilee anniversary address earlier.

The Minister earlier cut the sod to formally open the Jubilee Square, a special Jubilee monument, built at breakneck speed.

He also distributed prizes to winners of the march past in the Primary, JSS, SSS and Cadet Corps categories.

Seven Garrison Primary was first in the Primary School's category, Deme-Fiave, was first at JSS level, Mawuli School came first at the SSS level and OLA Secondary School Girl Guides won at the Cadet Corp level.

Thousands of people took part in parades to mark Ghana's Jubilee celebrations at more than a dozen centers in the Ketu District on Tuesday.

Security agencies and school children joined in the district parade at the Saint Paul Secondary School at Tokor near Denu.

Attendance was heavy with many donning dresses made in the national colours and carried national flags.

Shops remained closed and human activity at the otherwise busy Ghana/Togo frontier at Aflao low, with the few security personnel on duty having little to do.

GNA