President John Dramani Mahama has justified the decision to scale down Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebration, citing the severe economic crisis confronting the country.
Speaking at the forecourt of the Jubilee House, where the event was held instead of the traditional Black Star Square, he emphasized the need for fiscal prudence in the face of financial challenges.
“Large-scale celebrations often come with significant logistical, security, and infrastructure costs, which strain the national budget. By reducing the scale of the event, we wish to demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility and the efficient use of our limited resources,” he stated.
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.
He said 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.
Given the current economic hardship, he said, such an expenditure would be unjustifiable, especially when workers have had to accept wage adjustments far below inflation rates.
“This year’s event, held in a scaled-down manner, will save us 95% of the estimated cost,” President Mahama disclosed.
Despite the low-key nature of the celebration, he reassured Ghanaians that it does not diminish the significance of the occasion.
He described Ghana’s independence as the single most important event in the nation’s history, not only marking the country’s freedom but also igniting the push for independence across sub-Saharan Africa.
“Independence Day must always be commemorated, but when reality calls for a different approach, we must heed it and act accordingly,” he remarked.
He also reflected on past reforms to the Independence Day parade, recalling that ten years ago, during the 58th anniversary, his administration made changes to ease the burden on schoolchildren, sparing them from standing for long hours in the scorching sun.
He acknowledged a more recent reform under the previous administration, which rotated the hosting of the celebrations among the regions, bringing the event closer to the people.
However, given the current economic situation, President Mahama stressed that prudence must take precedence, and tough but necessary decisions must be made to ensure efficient resource management.
