President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the decision to scale down the Independence Day celebration has saved the country over Ghc 18 million Ghana cedis.
He disclosed that the original budget submitted for the celebration was Ghc 20 million, an increase of Ghc 5 million from the Ghc 15 million spent in 2024.
President Mahama posited that the scale-down of the celebration does not in any way diminish the relevance of the celebration.
He also stated that it would not make sense for the government to spend Ghc 20 million on the celebration, especially as it appealed to Ghanaian workers to sacrifice and accept the 10 percent increase in public sector pay.
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 hours of celebration. Today’s event will save us 95% of the estimated cost of the event.’’
He stressed the scale-down of the celebration does not diminish the significance of this occasion in any way, adding, Ghana’s independence is the single most significant important event in our history, as it sets us on the path of nationhood.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
