The Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has said this year’s Independence Day celebration has been significantly streamlined to reduce cost.
The 68th event, according to the Minister, will cost the state only a tenth of what was spent the previous year, 2024.
The scaled-down event that will be held at the Jubilee House today, Thursday, March 06, 2025, in the Minister’s words, shows the government’s commitment towards fiscal prudence without compromising the significance of the occasion.
“In the past, there were 60 contingents made up of 60 men and women each. So we are talking close to 3,600 men and women and thousands of children who march.
“Now, everything has been scaled down to a little over 500 people. That includes both security personnel and schoolchildren who will be performing. This is to ensure that we do not incur the kind of costs we did in the past.
“I can reveal to you that the celebrations to be held here on Thursday will cost a tenth of what it took to host this event in Koforidua last year. That event cost GH₵15 million. What will be held here tomorrow will cost a tenth of that,” he stated whilst speaking on preparations ahead of the event.
He explained that the streamlined celebration to reduce the cost does not in any reduces the significance of the celebration, expressing how serious President Mahama takes the Independence Day celebration.
“The scaled-down events in no way undermine the significance of the day. The Independence Day celebration is one that President Mahama takes very seriously. He believes it must be celebrated, but in a manner that allows us to make savings that can be redirected into other areas of expenditure,” he clarified.
