Volta Minister, Education Director and Ho MCE presenti ng cit ation to the parents of Etornam. INSET: The late Etornam Gorni Attippoe
This year’s Independence Day celebration in the Volta Region was held in honour of 14-year-old Etornam Gorni Attippoe who died ten years ago during a rehearsal for the 2012 Independence Day parade.
The JHS 1 pupil of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church Junior High School, Ho Fiave, collapsed during a rehearsal on Monday, February 27, 2012. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the then Volta Regional Hospital, now Ho Teaching Hospital.
To the surprise, but commendation of many, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council represented by the Regional Minister, Regional Education Director and the Ho Municipal Chief Executive presented a citation to the parents of young Etornam, who is a descendant of a national hero; Corporal Patrick Attipoe.
He is one of three veteran soldiers who died at the crossroads of the Christiansborg Castle, Osu in 1948 while presenting a petition for their due after the second world war. The incident is also marked as one of the pivotal events that led to Ghana’s independence in 1957.
A sod was also cut for the raising of a monument in honour of young Etornam, who was born on September 30, 1998 to Atsu Gorni and Charity Gorni of Gorni Korpe in the Akatsi South Municipality.
The citation, which was read by Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, eulogised Etornam and described her as a national heroine who sacrificed herself so many students will have a better independence parade experience.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)