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THE BRONG Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, was conspicuously missing at the 55thIndependence Day Anniversary Celebration parade held yesterday in Sunyani, where he was supposed to take the salute from the parade and address the public. The absence of the regional minister from the most important event on the calendar of the nation left many residents asking questions about his whereabouts. DAILY GUIDE was informed by some officials of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Regional Coordinating Council that Mr Nyamekye-Marfo had been in Accra on an official duty for over a week now. They however failed to tell what exactly the minister was doing in the national capital which prevented him from attending the all-important event. However, DAILY GUIDE has been reliably informed that Mr Nyamekye-Marfo has been battling with an undisclosed ailment and is currently receiving medical treatment in Accra. Reports indicate that the minister fell sick soon after he returned from his recent trip abroad. The Deputy Regional Minister, Eric Opoku, who stood in for him, read the President�s speech after he had earlier inspected the parade of 1,458 contingents made up of 210 security personnel and over 1,200 students from various first and second-cycle institutions in the Sunyani Municipality. This year�s parade was unique because it started very early, around 7am, and ended about two hours later, relieving the school children from suffering under the scorching sun. Attendance was however not encouraging as compared to previous years. Various heads of departments, security chiefs, traditional leaders, school children and their teachers and a section of the public graced the occasion. A special award was given to the Serwaa Kesse Girls� Senior High School for winning this year�s Independence Day Celebration National Debate Competition. The school represented the northern sector and beat St Peters SHS which represented the southern sector at the finals. Prizes were given to the schools which distinguished themselves during the march past. In the primary category, 3rd Garrison Basic School came first, whilst Ebenezer Presbyterian Preparatory School was also adjudged winners in the JHS category. Sunyani Senior High School was adjudged the best in the SHS after putting up a splendid performance.