Accra: Renowned broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, for its reduced expenditure on Independence Day celebrations since assuming office.
According to Ghana Web, Adom-Otchere expressed his concerns during a panel discussion on Metro TV's Good Evening Ghana. He argued that the government's decision to cut spending on the celebrations negatively impacts ordinary Ghanaians who rely on the event for income. He accused the government of denying citizens the joy of celebrating independence while spending on less impactful initiatives.
Adom-Otchere questioned the government's priorities, citing the renaming of Kotoka International Airport as an example of unnecessary spending benefiting only a select few. He emphasized that the Independence Day celebrations have historically benefited thousands and criticized the government for not supporting the festivities. He lamented the loss of income for vendors and questioned the government's commitment to sustaining a vibrant 70th anniversary celebration for Ghana's independence.
He also claimed that the government failed to allocate funds to district assemblies for the 2026 Independence Day celebrations, which he believes undermines national spirit and the event's significance. He criticized the government for sending no financial support to various districts, asking if the nation no longer takes pride in its independence.
Adom-Otchere challenged the notion that modest celebrations reflect the country's economic reality, arguing that frequent grand celebrations could boost economic activities. He suggested that if the country is indeed struggling financially, it should prioritize maintaining the grandeur of Independence Day to stimulate economic growth.
He concluded by comparing the current government's spending on Independence Day to that of the previous administration, criticizing President Mahama's government for spending significantly less than the GHS17 million spent by the previous Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.