A lawyer and real estate investment broker, has offered an advice to government, cautioning it prior to the 70th Platinum Jubilee anniversary, not to waste scarce resources to fund the much anticipated celebration.
Kofi Asmah, is of the view that, the celebration set for next year, March 6, should be funded privately, charging government to put in place the needed measures to ensure this happens.
Speaking in the wake of the 69th Independence Day commemoration held last Friday, March 2025 amid Minister for Government Communications revelation that, spending on the annual event has been slashed by over 95 percent since last year, he said it will even be better to seek the support of the private sector.
As part of measures to spend prudently and protect the public purse, John Dramani Mahama, upon his return as President, advised against spending lavishly during the celebration.
According to the Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who is also his spokesperson, upon learning about the cost of the previous year in 2024, he departed from what had become the order of the day.
He suggested the event be held at the forecourt of the Jubilee House and so in 2025 and 2026, the parades were hosted there with a sizable number of guests.
Kwakye Ofosu said instead of spending about GHc20 million for last year and even more this year, the government opted for a moderate celebration where less than a GHc2 million was used.
However next year, where the Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated, Ghana cannot afford to be this moderate, as many Ghanaians and others across the world would be very expectant.
Speaking on the subject matter a year to the celebration, Asmah who was at the Jubilee House to join in the celebration, applauded government for scaling down the cost.
He however suggested that government seeks the support of multi-national companies and banks to be headline sponsors.
He argued against government entertaining the idea of funding the celebration and asked that, they look for help as many of the performing institutions will be proud and willing to contribute their quota financially.
His comments, come several years after the controversy that greeted the state funding of the 50 Independence Day celebration under former President John Kufuor in 2007, leading to attempts by the new Atta Mills government to prosecute organizers.
Read below his post on facebook
Was honoured to return to the Presidency for Ghana’s 69th Independence Celebrations.
The Government needs serious commendation for scaling down the celebrations compared to the more elaborate and expensive formats of previous years. In a season of economic reset, saving millions of cedis and demonstrating fiscal restraint sends the right signal.
Now Ghana turns 70 in 2027.
That birthday party must be planned elaborately— but funded differently.
Around the world, major national events are backed by corporate sponsors. In the United States, Coca-Cola, AT&T and Bank of America support large civic celebrations. In the United Kingdom, HSBC and Barclays back national showcases. In the UAE, Emirates and Etisalat underwrite major festivities.
National pride and corporate participation are not mutually exclusive.
Imagine Ghana@70 partnerships led by MTN Ghana, GCB Bank, Ecobank Ghana, Samsung, GOIL, Newmont Ghana, Gold Fields Ghana, Tullow Oil Ghana, GNPC, Unilever Ghana and Zoomlion Ghana Limited.
Let it be a tourism accelerator.
A diaspora investment window.
An AfCFTA trade summit.
A youth innovation.
A glimpse into our future.
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By Gifty Boateng