President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that the original budget for the 68th Independence Day parade was to cost the country GHc 20 million.
He said this was an increase of GH₵ 15 million over the cost of the 2024 celebration, which was held in Koforidua.
Speaking at the celebration, held at the Jubilee House on March 6, 2025, he said the government announced a scaled-down celebration due to the current economic crisis.
The scaled-down celebration, he said, has saved the country 95 percent of the original budget submitted to him.
He also revealed that the cost of the 2023 celebration, held in Ho, Volta Region, was over GHc 13 million.
Mr. John Dramani Mahama said fiscal prudence has become imperative for navigating the severe economic crisis that has confronted our country. The state spent Ghc15 million on last year’s celebration in Koforidua and spent Ghc137 million on the previous year’s celebration in Ho in the Volta region. This year, we received estimates of at least Ghc 20 million for holding the event at the Independence Square on the same scale as the previous years.
In a year when we are calling on all to sacrifice, including workers, who had graciously accepted a base pay adjustment far below the rate of inflation, it is unconscionable to spend that kind of money on a free hour of celebration. Today’s event will save us 95% of the estimated cost of the event.’’
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
