Gov’t cuts independence day spending to GH¢1.5m – Kwakye Ofosu

The government has reduced the cost of this year’s Independence Day celebration to about GH¢1.5 million as part of measures to limit public expenditure while still commemorating the country’s independence anniversary.

The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed this during an interview on Joy FM on March 5, explaining that the decision reflects the government’s effort to channel resources into more pressing national priorities.

“It is to save cost. We have decided to save money and use it for other pressing national issues. It will cost 95 per cent less than the previous cost, and that amounts to about GH¢1.5 million,” he stated.

According to the minister, previous Independence Day celebrations placed a significant financial burden on the state, with expenditures reaching about GH¢20 million in some years.

Despite the scaled-down nature of the event, Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that the anniversary remains an important moment in the country’s history.

“Sixty-nine years of nationhood is a very significant achievement,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.

He also reflected on the country’s journey since gaining independence, noting that Ghana has managed to maintain unity and social cohesion despite facing various national challenges over the decades.

“Over the years, we have had our ups and downs as a country, but by and large, we have managed to hold ourselves together. We’ve built a nation that is inclusive, where there is religious and social tolerance,” he said.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu further indicated that although the nation has experienced setbacks, there have also been steady improvements in several sectors of the economy.

“Even if we’ve had setbacks, we’ve also made incremental progress. Since the advent of this government, a lot has been done to improve the economy. The economy is in much better shape than it was before,” he added.

This year’s ceremony will take place at the forecourt of Jubilee House under the theme “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”

The parade is expected to attract Ministers of State, members of the diplomatic corps, and guests from various sectors of society.

Personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces will take part in the parade, while the reviewing officer will be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama.

The Special Guest of Honour for the event will be Terrance Michael Drew.

The decision to hold the event at Jubilee House follows a similar arrangement during last year’s celebration, when the government opted for a modest ceremony instead of the large-scale parades previously held at the Black Star Square that typically involved hundreds of school children and elaborate public displays.