Holiday Makers Thronge Beaches(Centre Spread) July 2, 2008

Story: Michael Donkor
HUNDREDS of holiday celebrants yesterday thronged the various beaches in Accra to commemorate Republic Day.
Dressed in swimming costumes and casual wears, most of the holidaymakers could not tell the significance of the day but were busily seen enjoying themselves to live band and recorded music which were played at the beaches.
A visit to the La Pleasure Beach saw fun seekers, males and females, some of whom were accompanied by their children, in frenzy as they observed the day.
Others were also seen swimming while some rode horses and played football.
At the Dutch Beach near Nungua, some of the holidaymakers enjoyed the cold sea waves as it drizzled.
They described the day’s drizzling as a blessing to Ghana’s Republic Day.
Some of the gathering there danced to local music popularly called Jama.
At the Independence Beach, some of the holidaymakers brought along their own musical systems for their entertainment.
The peaceful enjoyment there was nearly marred when a fight broke out between two gentlemen over a lady.
This attracted a large crowd because the two gentlemen, who came from Osu, were popular among the gathering.
It took the security details around the beach about an hour to completely cool down tempers.
At the Osikan Beach, brass band music was played to the enjoyment of the holidaymakers. Some of the holidaymakers who spoke to the Graphic said July 1 was a great day and needed to be celebrated as such. They could not explain what makes the day great.
Adwoa Frimpomaa said every July 1, she goes to the beach with her friends to celebrate the day.
She said at the beach they eat, drink and have fun till the evening before they depart.
Bosah Bosah said the only time that he enjoyed himself was such holidays and that he never missed such occasions.
Barimah Sarpong said considering the history behind the July 1, it needed to be celebrated in grand style hence on such occasions he goes to the beach to spend time there and celebrate it with other holidaymakers.
Some expatriates were also seen celebrating the day with their Ghanaian counterparts.
Jeff Morgan, an American, said he had adopted Ghana as his second home that was why he had joined in celebrating the day Ghana gained full political autonomy.
Ranshi Samir, also an expatriate, who described Ghana as a peaceful place, said on such occasion he could not stay indoors than come out to join in the celebration.
Others mounted mini tents in which they served food and drinks to their loved ones as they listened to music in the background.
Kwaku Afriyie, who took advantage of the day to pickpocket was arrested and beaten. He would have been lynched but for the timely intervention of the police.