President John Dramani Mahama has defended the government’s decision to scale down Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebration due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis.
“We have cut costs by 95 per cent for this year’s celebration, President John Dramani Mahama emphasized this during the celebration and urged all Ghanaians to unite and build the Ghana we want together.
He stated that spending GHS20 million on the celebration would be “unconscionable” considering the economic challenges Ghana is facing
By reducing the scale of the celebration, the government aims to demonstrate its commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficient use of limited resources. This decision is expected to save 95% of the estimated cost of the event.
Mahama emphasized the need for careful financial management, citing the significant security and infrastructure costs associated with large-scale celebrations.
He recalled that last year’s celebration in Koforidua cost GHS15 million, while the previous year’s celebration in Ho, Volta Region, cost GHS13.7 million.
Ghana’s Independence Day is celebrated annually on March 6, marking the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1957.
It is a significant national holiday, typically celebrated with parades, ceremonies, and other events.
