Renowned broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere has descended on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government led by President John Dramani Mahama over its “modest” Independence Day celebration since it assumed office.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Metro TV's Good Evening Ghana, Adom-Otchere argued that the reduction in government expenditure for the Independence Day celebration is hurting ordinary Ghanaians who used to make some money during the celebrations.

He suggested that the government was denying Ghanaians the joy of celebrating the country’s independence by drastically cutting its expenditure, while, on the other hand, incurring unnecessary expenses that benefit only a few.

“You rename Kotoka International Airport and pay money to who? One contractor. Independence (celebration) is going to thousands of people, you won’t pay. The greatest good is to the greatest number of people. I don’t know how the government is going to sustain a very dull 70th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s independence… Is that what is going to happen? The march bonuses of all the kenkey sellers are gone. The people who make flags, march bonuses, gone.

“John Mahama has taken it. He doesn't want to share it. But when it's about them, they do it. The ministers bought cars. Goldboard has money. It's with people. We see all these things, but the very basic guy, you say that I don't want to spend, and you are presenting it as prudence. That is why you are hearing the noises you are hearing. I'm not making those noises. That is what all the media are saying: ‘Ah, is this really Independence Day?’” he lamented.

The broadcaster also claimed that the government did not send any funds to the district assemblies across the country to celebrate the 2026 Independence Day.

This, according to him, is killing the spirit of the nation and reducing the significance of the Independence Day celebration.

“You (sic) send them zero cedis. You send Kumasi zero, you send Secondi zero, Azim zero. District assembly, zero. North Dayi, zero, everywhere, zero. Then we go home. Quiet. Are we not independent? Are we not proud of it anymore? Do we not want to be the Black Star of Africa anymore? Why are we quenching the fire of the nation with these settings and overzealous ‘I'm not corrupt’… Nobody has told you not to chase your ghost, not to chase shadows. Present what the people of Ghana are used to,” he fumed.

He further refuted the assertion that modest Independence Day celebrations under the current government are a reflection of the poor economic stance.

He added that if the country is truly broke, it should rather hold frequent grand Independence Day celebrations, as they would help boost economic activities.

“We should be able to do this every month, but you can't do it every month. So, at least, that sacred March event, let it go,” he said, arguing that the over GH¢17 million spent on Independence Day celebrations by the previous Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government was insignificant, looking at the size of Ghana’s economy.

He made these remarks while reacting to President Mahama having stated that his government spent about GH¢1 million on the Independence Day celebration compared to the over GH¢17 million of the previous government.

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Watch a video of Paul Adom-Otchere’s remarks below:

Why cut gov't spending on Independence Day? It's an economic stimulant - @AdomOtchere argues#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/kZryWmFIeM

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) March 9, 2026