President John Dramani Mahama has defended the government’s decision to scale down Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebration, citing the country’s severe economic crisis.
Speaking at the Jubilee House, where the event was held instead of the traditional Black Star Square, Mahama emphasized the need for fiscal prudence in the face of financial challenges.
The President revealed that last year’s Independence Day celebration in Koforidua cost the state GHS 15 million, while the previous year’s event in the Volta Region cost GHS 13.7 million. This year, initial estimates projected that at least GHS 20 million would be required to hold the celebration at Independence Square on the same scale.
Mahama stated that such an expenditure would be unjustifiable, especially when workers have had to accept wage adjustments far below inflation rates. Instead, the scaled-down event will save the state 95% of the estimated cost.
The decision to scale down the celebration has been commended by many, including award-winning investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who described it as an example of responsible governance.
Mahama’s administration has also suspended the rotational policy for Independence Day celebrations to reduce government spending. The government has cited high costs as the reason for the suspension.
The President reassured Ghanaians that despite the low-key nature of the celebration, the significance of the occasion remains unchanged. Ghana’s independence is a momentous occasion that marks the country’s freedom and its role in inspiring independence movements across sub-Saharan Africa.
Baina Multimedia/Khadijahtu Kubura Kailani
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