This year’s Volta Region Independence Day celebration was held in memory of 14-year-old Etornam Gorni Attippoe, who died ten years ago during a rehearsal for the 2012 Independence Day parade.
The JHS 1 student of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church Junior High School, Ho Fiave, collapsed during a rehearsal for the day’s independence parade on Monday, February 27th, 2012.
She was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Volta Regional Hospital, which is now known as Ho Teaching Hospital.
Citation and Memorial
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, a descendant of a national hero; Corporal Patrick Attipoe.
He is one of three veteran soldiers who died in 1948 at the crossroads of the Christiansburg Castel in Osu while presenting a petition for their rightful postwar compensation. The incident is also remembered as one of the key events leading up to Ghana’s independence in 1957.
Sod was also cut in honor of young Etornam, who was born on September 30, 1998, to Atsu Gorni and Charity Gorni of Gorni Korpe in the Akatsi South Municipality.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, read the citation, which eulogized Etornam and described her as a national heroine who sacrificed herself so that many students could have a better independence parade experience.
“As we celebrate the 65th anniversary of Ghana’s independence and pay tribute to fallen heroes of Ghana’s independence, we also remember you,” portions of the citation read. By human standards, she is not a heroine, but she is spiritual… Etornam, we are honored to regard you as deserving of our respect and honor. You are by far the youngest officer to be killed in the line of duty… The price you paid has had a significant impact on how independence parades are organized in Ghana today. As a result, on this special day, your fellow students receive special attention and preferential treatment.”
What Happened to Her
When Daily Guide spoke to the School ten years ago, the Assistant Headmaster at the time, Aaron Hornuvo, said that fateful morning Etornam ate with her friends before being conveyed to Jubilee Park with all 44 of them.
As far as the school’s records are concerned, Etornam is not sickling, but an active sports girl; a key member of the female football team who participated in internal and external football and athletic competitions,” he added. In the last term, she even represented the school in inter-school athletics, handball, volley, and football competitions.”
Etornam’s parents could not hold back their tears as their heroine daughter was honored. Her father, a police officer, thanked the Coordinating Council for immortalizing his daughter.
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