Ghana @ 60 celebrations to cost GH¢20m

The official logo of the diamond jubilee independence celebrations was unveiled by President Akufo-Addo[/caption] President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that all activities surrounding the 60^th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s independence should not exceed GH¢20 million. “My ambition is to commemorate this anniversary with a minimum or no burden at all on the national treasury,” he said on Thursday, February 9. President Akufo-Addo was speaking at the launch of the official logo and unveiling of activities for the celebration. The diamond anniversary celebration will be themed ‘Mobilising for Ghana’s Future’. The president indicated that funds for the celebration will be generated from individuals as well as from the private sector and corporate Ghana as a whole. National monuments are expected to be constructed to commemorate the anniversary, which will fall exactly on Monday, March 6, 2017. An anniversary torch is also expected to tour the 10 regions of the country in the course of the year. This is to “encourage citizens to participate where they live and work, supporting domestic tourism and an opportunity to daily reflect, celebrate and challenge ourselves to define the spirit ‘I am a Ghanaian’,” the president said. The previous landmark celebration – Ghana @ 50 – cost the country $20 million with an extra budget sent to Parliament. Monuments including regional parks and, most importantly, the Flagstaff House were constructed. The chairman of the planning committee then was Charles Wereko Brobby. The current planning committee chaired by Ken Amankwah has resolved to work for free. By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana Follow @kwame_amoh]]>