Tax expert Mr. Geoferry Kabutey Ocansey, Executive Director of Revenue Mobilisation Africa, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his decision to scale down the independence day celebration.
He indicated that holding the celebration at the Jubilee House on March 6, 2025, has saved the country a substantial amount of money, and for him, this must be repeated next year.
He believes doing this would further save the country more resources that could be redirected to other important key areas.
President John Dramani Mahama revealed that it would have been unconscionable to spend a budget of Ghc20 million on a celebration when Ghanaian workers only received a 10 percent raise in their salary.
The President disclosed that the country spent Ghc15 million in 2024 for the celebration and also Ghc13 million in 2023, and after he received the budget for 2025, he felt the country was not in the capacity to spend such an amount for a celebration.
Mr. Kabutey Ocansey said the amount saved should be used for projects and named the anniversary project.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the expert told host Kwabena Agyapong, “I would need some drums so I can play them in jubilation and celebrate this.” The President deserves commendation for this, but we need to know how much money was saved and what it will be used for. The resources should be directed towards projects that benefit both our generation and the next generation.
The money can be used to construct schools or renovate dilapidated schools and name them anniversary schools so that it will serve as a legacy for the country. They told us the original budget was Ghc 20 million, but they saved over 90 percent of the amount by organising it at the Jubilee House. The remaining amount should go into legacy projects,’’ he added.
He added, ”In my opinion, this should be repeated next year. Given our economic challenges, we can keep this approach in place for other celebrations. It is a step in the right direction”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
