Our trainee reporters: Femi Akanmode & Damola Layode

Ghana's 48 th Independence Anniversary Celebration organised by GhanabaUK and Rich Promotions, held at the Stratford Rex. London.

It was very cold and dark night, but that did nothing to dampen the spirits of young people that came out in their thousands to celebrate Ghana's 48 th Independence celebration on Saturday 5 th March 2005.

Multicultural revellers at the event included Kenyans, Jamaicans, Ugandans, Sierra Leonean, Cameroonians, Asians and many British nationals. This shows the love and support we all have for the Great Nation of Ghana and its people. Not since last year's Nigerian Independence have we witnessed such a great and beautiful atmosphere, and this was mostly because of the ladies.

Many adults and some of the youth were surprised with the type of music played and the way the two MCs of the ceremony consistently kept talking as the music played on. There was little Ghanaian music played during the event let alone music from the rest of Africa. "Most of what we listened to was urban, garage and r'& b'" says Tracy Marfo of Oval.

The Independence Day Celebration is supposed to be an event to remember our ancestors and what they stood for, what they fought for, and what they shed their blood for. This should have been reinacted on such a wonderful occasion at a gathering of over 3,000 people. For the young who were especially born here and have never been to Ghana or witnessed such an event, it should have been memorable as it's done in Ghana.

An elderly man had this to say "next time we hope the organisers will remember the spirit of Ghana and the wonderful music that comes alive with drums when played that most of us grow up listening too. To the none-Ghanaian who came to the show expecting everything Ghanaian including national dressing for most and our music we hope things will be different next year. There is a need to promote Ghana and its culture to the outside world and there is no big opportunity than this.

BBC interviewed people during the ceremony and what seemed to be on their mind was the failure by the organisers to promote Ghana, Rita Marfo, from Plaistow in East London voiced her concern "I thought I was coming to enjoy a Ghanaian festive occasion only to be bombarded with POW! POW! POW! speeches by non- Ghanaians. I didn't dance for even a minute because I didn't like the music"

However, Ghanaian Artists had a chance to shine and those who did where. There was almost no traditional music and it seemed the music played was aimed at the youth who were in the majority.

Keisha White, dressed in traditional Ghanaian attire, was treated to an explosive performance by Lethal B and the Fire Camp, performing their massive hit 'POW' as well as other great performances from artists such as Sway, UGC and Ghost. Keisha was questioned about her choice of outfit and said,

"I am not Ghanaian, but I strongly believe in my African ancestry and I am proud to wear a traditional outfit to represent my roots!"

There were two major incidents of violence that occurred and the first was during the Fire Camp's performance of their gargantuan hit POW! (Forward Riddim). There was a surprising reaction to the song which was once banned in Essex for causing too much hyperactivity and frenzy. The second incident was during Obrafour's performance and it almost led to the show being shutdown by the Police.

Sadly towards the end of the event, more violence erupted as people were hanging around the venue idly. Not even Ghanaians could help Stratford Rex shake off the stigma of being a venue known for violent occurrences. Stabbings and other attacks were witnessed and the atmosphere was drowned in the noise of sirens, both police and ambulances.

A few unruly young men couldn't let us down nor overshadow this grand occasion, everybody had fun and probably like us, they wish it was a monthly instead of annual event.

Miss Patriotic (We've never seen the Flag quite like this)