President John Mahama announced that his administration saved around 19 million Ghana cedis by holding a simpler Independence Day celebration at the Jubilee House for the 68th anniversary.
In his speech on Thursday, 6th March, President Mahama explained his choice to stop rotating the celebration among regions. Instead, he opted for a smaller event at the government’s main office, rather than the usual Independence Square in Accra.
He pointed out the economic challenges the country is facing and mentioned that previous celebrations had been quite costly for the nation.
He referred to past events, noting that the 66th Independence Day celebration in Ho cost 13.7 million cedis, while the 67th event in Koforidua was 15 million cedis.
He further explained that if this year’s celebration had been held at Independence Square, it would have cost at least 20 million cedis.
This highlights the importance of the government managing its spending carefully.
In a year when we are calling on everyone to make sacrifices, including workers who have graciously accepted a base pay adjustment far below the rate of inflation, it would be unconscionable to spend such an amount on just a few hours of celebration.
NKONKONSA.com
