President John Dramani Mahama has called on all and sundry to leave a positive legacy for the children of this country to inherit, as the countrys future depends on them.

"Every year, school children are included in the independence parade not for the purposes of entertainment but rather as a presentation of our future. These children are the future of Ghana," the president said at Ghana's 59th independence parade at the Black Star Square.

He added: "It is our responsibility to safeguard our independence so that the nation we leave for our children to inherit will also be free, peaceful and democratic."

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President Mahama was joined by two visiting heads of state to deliver the Independence Anniversary Address after a march past by security personnel and school children, drills and equipment display by the security agencies and performances by various groups.

There were also parades in all regional and district capitals across the country, with the country's missions abroad also hosting National Day events across the world.