President John Dramani Mahama has defended the decision to scale back Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebration, stating that spending GH₵20 million amid the country’s economic crisis would have been irresponsible.
Speaking at the event at Jubilee House on Thursday, March 6, Mahama highlighted the need for fiscal responsibility in light of the nation’s ongoing financial challenges. He pointed out that large-scale celebrations come with significant costs, including security and infrastructure, which would place further strain on the national budget.
Mahama recalled that last year’s celebration in Koforidua cost GH₵15 million, while the previous year’s event in Ho amounted to GH₵13.7 million. With this year’s event estimated to cost GH₵20 million, Mahama stressed that it would have been unacceptable to spend such an amount on a short celebration.
He also mentioned the sacrifices made by workers, who have accepted a pay adjustment below the inflation rate, and said that proceeding with the full-scale celebration would have been unconscionable.
