President John Mahama has explained that this year’s Independence Day celebration was held as a modest durbar at Jubilee House instead of the traditional Independence Square due to the country’s prevailing economic challenges.
Speaking during the 68th Independence Anniversary on March 6, President Mahama disclosed that an initial budget of GHC20 million had been proposed for hosting the event at Independence Square.
“The state spent GHC15 million on last year’s celebration in Koforidua and GHC13.7 million on the previous year’s event in Ho, Volta Region. This year, we received an estimate of at least GHC20 million for holding the event at Independence Square at the same scale as before—at a time when we are calling on everyone to sacrifice,” he stated.
Given the current economic situation, he said the government opted to scale down the event, holding it instead at his office, resulting in an estimated 95% savings from the original budget.
“Today’s event will save us 95% of the estimated cost,” he noted.
President Mahama emphasized that the decision was a necessary step in managing public funds responsibly while still honoring the significance of the day.
“By reducing the scale of the event, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to fiscal responsibility and the prudent use of resources,” he added.
The scaled-down celebration, which took place at Jubilee House, was attended by a select group of dignitaries and officials.
While acknowledging the sacrifices required to navigate the country’s financial difficulties, the President reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the essence of Ghana’s Independence Day. He also reiterated the government’s dedication to prioritizing the welfare of Ghanaians and addressing the economic challenges affecting the nation.
