68th Independence Day Celebration Costs GHS 1.5 Million; One-Tenth of Last Year’s Budget
Government has significantly scaled back spending on this year’s Independence Day celebrations, cutting costs by 90% as it prioritises fiscal discipline.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, said the event—marking the country’s 68th year of independence—will be held at Jubilee House on March 6 at a fraction of the previous year’s expense.
“I can reveal that this year’s celebrations will cost a tenth (GHS 1.5m) of what was spent in Koforidua last year,” he said, adding that the 2023 event had cost GHS 15 million ($1.2 million).
As part of cost-saving measures, the government has reduced the number of participants from 3,600 security personnel and thousands of schoolchildren to just over 500.
“The Independence Day celebration remains significant to President Mahama, but it must be marked in a way that allows for critical savings,” Kwakye Ofosu said.
The move reflects the administration’s broader efforts to rein in public spending as Ghana navigates a challenging macroeconomic environment.
