Sophia Akuffo, the former Chief Justice, has urged the government to use money set aside for the Independence Day celebrations for worthwhile projects that will help Ghanaians. According to her, it is meaningless to spend the nation’s scarce resources on independence celebrations while the government is still making efforts to rescue the failing economy.
Independence Day has always been one of the biggest events celebrated every year in the country. This is the day we commemorate Ghana’s freedom from British Colonial rule. Carnivals, parades, and other events are held to mark the celebrations and the national flag is hoisted high. We recite the national anthem with pride and joy in our hearts, both people at home and those on the grounds.
The national commemoration of Ghana’s 66th anniversary of independence is set to take place in Ho, the capital of the Volta region, on March 6, while other regions will also hold their durbars to celebrate the occasion.
The former Chief Justice said, although it is good to commemorate the event, she thinks that infrastructural projects and other investments will help the country move ahead. She spoke on Citi News on the sidelines of a public lecture held by the University of Ghana on the country’s 66th Independence.
Dignitaries from all over the continent and Europe travel to Ghana to join in the celebrations, putting Ghana in the spotlight. Individuals also celebrate in their homes with food and music as they mark the national holiday.
Also, during this period, many Ghanaians from the diaspora come home to celebrate “Ghana Month”, this also brings revenue to the government. Will an Independence Day Celebration without a parade and all its accompaniment be the same as all the ones we have experienced previously? Though the country is not where it is supposed to be now, I think that celebrating our Independence in style is a ritual that cannot be changed. The government may cut down some costs on the celebrations but there must be a “big” event.
Priscilla Fumadorh
Priscilla is an entrepreneur and a creative communicator who loves to communicate through writing. She is passionate about national economic issues and does not miss a chance to offer her opinions on them for the good of the country.