GH¢15 Million spent on 2023 Independence Day Celebration: Government moves Independence Day celebration to Jubilee House to cut cost

The government of Ghana (John Dramani Mahama-led Administration), has announced moving the celebration of Independence Day to the Jubilee House to cut the cost involved in the celebration.

Addressing the media on February 12, 2025, the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, stated that the regional rotational celebration has been paused, as the 2023 event cost the country GH¢15 million.

Adding voice to the new call from the government, Ace journalist Manasseh Azuri Awuni applauded the move, stressing that it has “saved the state money and set a good example that should remain forever.”

Manasseh Azuri’s voice on the new development by the government

By cancelling the Independence Day celebration at the Black Star Square, President John Mahama has denied some people in his administration procurement deals worth millions of cedis.

He has, however, saved the state money and set a good example that should remain forever. Such grand and wasteful celebrations are meaningless when, after six decades of independence, we cannot keep our cities and towns clean. Good move, Mr. President.

Ghanaian Arts and Culture journalist, Kwame Dadzie also shared his thoughts (road map) and called on the sitting government to consider for the way forward on the same subject matter.

The government has scaled down the Independence Day celebration as it moves the parade from the Black Star Square to the Jubilee House in order to cut costs.

In the very near future, I would like to see the parades that keep school children in the sun in various parts of the country scrapped.

I have said umpteenth times, that instead of lining up school children and artisans in the hot to march and listen to jaded speeches, let us put together activities that will help promote our arts, culture, and tourism.

At the regional, district, and community levels, there can be art exhibitions and drama themed on our heritage and unity. We can also have competitions on filmmaking, music, poetry, and dance, from our schools to the communities.

By organizing sightseeing for schools and communities, we will be promoting domestic tourism.

A three-day independence celebration can be instituted so that on the final day which is 6th March, we climax the whole celebration with the major activities.

At the national level, a big concert for our musicians can be held on the last day of the celebration.

By so doing, we will be giving people the opportunity to market their craft, Made in Ghana goods and services, our music, and tourism.

Since this suggestion is in tandem with the Blackstar Experience, I hope eventually, we get to see them tied into the yet-to-be-launched initiative for the Independence celebrations.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh