Former presidents John Dramani Mahama and Jerry John Rawlings were conspicuously missing at the celebration event to mark 63 years of Ghana’s independence from British rule.

The event has been taken to the Ashanti Region capital of Kumasi for the first time.

In attendance is His Royal Mejesty, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Christopher Rowley is the Guest of Honour.

But the event did not have most of the members of the opposition in attendance.

Most of the Minority Members of Parliament were absent.

It is unclear whether the National Democratic Congress (NDC) deliberately boycotted the event.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor is present.

The event is being marked on the theme: ‘Consolidating Our Gains’.