As Ghana gears up for its 68th Independence Day Celebration on March 6, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama has suspended the rotational policy of the Independence Day Celebration as part of efforts to save costs.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, disclosed this at a press conference in Accra. He stated that, as part of efforts to cut down on expenses, the 68th Independence Day Celebration, themed “Reflect, Review, and Reset,” would be moved from Independence Square to the Presidency in Accra.
He noted that figures on the cost of holding rotational Independence Day Celebrations showed that, depending on the location, the financial implications were significant.
For instance, one of the celebrations held in Ho cost the country a staggering GH¢15 million. He added that every time the celebration was hosted in a regional capital other than Accra, Ghanaians had to bear such costs.
“In the spirit of reducing government expenditure on non-essential activities, President Mahama has instructed that this rotational policy be suspended.”
He recalled that on March 6, 1957, Ghana gained independence from British colonial rule, and since then, national celebrations have been held annually to mark the momentous occasion.
In recent years, efforts had been made to rotate the celebrations among various regional capitals.
“While the intentions behind that may be noble, President Mahama has asked that the rotational policy be suspended due to the need to scale down, which has become necessary because of escalating costs,” Mr. Ofosu said.
He explained that after some review, it was discovered that the rotational system imposed additional expenses. Given the severe constraints on the national budget due to economic difficulties, continuing the practice was unsustainable.
Mr. Ofosu further stated that the main celebrations, which would have taken place at Independence Square in Accra, would also be scaled back.
He emphasized that President Mahama acknowledged the importance of celebrating Ghana’s independence, describing it as “perhaps the most significant event in our nation’s history.”
However, he noted that the President was also mindful of the country’s economic challenges and the various competing needs, recognizing that critical sectors of national life often lacked adequate funding.
“At this moment, there is a need to reprioritize government expenditure,” he stressed.
Mr. Ofosu stated that one of the areas where savings could be made was the Independence Day celebration.
The President believed that it was entirely possible to hold modest yet meaningful events to mark the occasion without placing a financial burden on the nation.
“For that reason, he has decided that this year’s celebration will not take on the spectacular form we have grown accustomed to over the years. Instead of a major event at Independence Square featuring contingents of security personnel and hundreds of schoolchildren marching to applause and cheers, we are going to have a significant ceremony at the Presidency. This will help minimize the often-huge financial implications associated with the celebration,” Mr. Ofosu said.
He announced a series of activities to be held at the Presidency, including a Military Guard of Honour that would be reviewed by the President.
Additionally, there would be a cultural performance by two groups of basic school pupils and an impactful poetry recital by a senior high school student.
He added that chiefs, religious leaders, students from basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions, traders, political party representatives, and other sections of society would be present.
The event would be marked by the President’s ceremonial address, allowing him to speak to the nation in a manner that underscores the significance of the day.
“This adjustment has become necessary, once again, due to the need to curb escalating costs,” he reiterated.
He emphasized that rather than a grand ceremony at Independence Square, a modest ceremony would be held at the Presidency, with similar low-scale celebrations taking place at all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies across the country.
Mr. Ofosu concluded by stating that, as part of activities marking the 68th Independence Day Celebration, the famous 28th February Christiansborg Crossroads Shooting Incident would once again be commemorated.