Former Defense Minister Dr. Addo Kufuor has advised the Akufo-Addo administration to focus on fixing the economy and not be swayed by an extensive celebration of Ghana’s 60th anniversary which he describes as needless.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart said the 60th anniversary could have been limited to the Independence Day ceremony and a cocktail event for few people in the evening.
In an interview with Nhyira FM after the march-past Monday, Dr Kufuor said government has a lot of work on its hands fixing the nation’s economic challenges and fulfill its campaign promises.
Ghana’s 60th Anniversary celebration was estimated to cost GHC20 million, an amount organizers revealed will be borne by corporate organisations.
Some Ghanaians have criticised the idea of a lavish celebration considering the scandals that greeted the Ghana@50 celebration during the erstwhile Kufuor administration.
According to some, the formation of a 23-member committee to oversee the celebration of the anniversary was needless.
Concerns have also been raised about the need for the new government to sink GHC20 million into the celebration of an anniversary at a time the country is reeling in debts and struggling to keep its power on for both residential and industrial users.
But the Nana Akufo-Addo led administration has been adamant and has been trumpeting the need to lift national consciousness using activities of the independence celebration.
President Nana Akufo-Addo was keen to make a positive impression on Ghana’s Independence celebration on March 6.
A number of activities were lined up for the celebration, including a wreath laying ceremony on February 28, 2017, a video documentary of Ghana’s Independence era till date which was aired on March 1.
There was also an inter-schools debate competition, an innovative apps challenge, a public lecture, the independence day parade etc.
An international gospel concert, is also in the offing to herald the occasion.
Each of these activities will involve an amount of money which has been pegged at an estimated cost of GHC20 million.
The planning committee said no public funds will be used for the celebration and that they will raise the money through sponsorship from corporate institutions.
But Dr. Addo Kufuor believes considering the gains chalked by some of Ghana’s peers the country should not be marking 60 years with funfairs and celebration.
He said if the nation were a human being, he/she would be going on retirement by now and no one would fault a modest celebration, but going over the top is not what is important.
