A Call for Modesty in State Ceremonies: Aligning Actions with Promises

Dear President John Dramani Mahama,

A second congratulation is in order. Your swearing-in ceremony was a sight to behold. I especially loved the intimate design with our national colours. And wow, Mr. President, your outfit stole the show. Congrats, Sir.

As you embark on your new tenure, going down in history as the only one to be sworn in as president three times in the fourth republic, the nation watches with hope for a renewed commitment to fiscal prudence and transformative governance. Like I have said in my previous letters to you, I, and many others like me, are looking up to you for a renewed sense of respect and appreciation for Ghana’s democratic experiment.

Mr President, just as in your campaign speeches, your inaugural speech was filled with promises to reset the nation and align governance with the economic realities facing Ghanaians. Yet, the opulence of your recent swearing-in ceremony raises questions about whether this new administration will truly embrace the modesty and discipline it has advocated.

Hear me out, Sir.

You have, since the transition began, taken action and given directives that give many Ghanaians hope that maybe there are some better days ahead. A case in point is your setting up of the Team ORAL, which I wrote about in my second letter to you. As I write this letter today, I have seen your Executive Instrument reducing the number of ministries from 30 to 23, a move many have praised you for. I concur with them. I am particularly excited by the fact that you dedicated a whole ministry to Youth and Empowerment, added ‘recreation’ to sports and took out the aviation and railways ministries. Kudos to you.

Yet, as I have noted in my previous letters, with all due respect, Sir, you have more to do to reset this nation. And sometimes, those actions would be very seemingly minute but can have the greatest and most lasting effect on the economy and perception of your seriousness about the task ahead of you.

One of such seemingly minute actions, Mr. President, is to reduce spending on state events to save money and time. The grand ceremony of your swearing-in at the Black Star Square, last Tuesday, 7th January 2025, showcased the beauty of Ghana’s traditions, but it also underscored the extravagance often associated with such state functions. While the pomp and pageantry may have satisfied cultural expectations and conventional wisdom, it has sparked debates on the relevance of such lavish spending in a country grappling with economic challenges.

Forgive me, Sir, because I am not as experienced a political leader as you are. But I have been thinking of how much the nation spent on the feeding and accommodation the over 30 heads of state and representatives of other countries who graced the occasion. For a broke country like Ghana, I see this kind of expenditure as unnecessary and avoidable.

The call for modesty in state events is not a new one. Alhaji Issah Musah Adams, founder of Support Life International, had publicly advocated for a more restrained swearing-in ceremony. He proposed a simple event at the Jubilee House with select stakeholders, clergy, and diplomatic representatives, avoiding the costs associated with large-scale gatherings at national monuments. I agree with him.

This perspective gains credibility when we look back at our history. In 2012, following the untimely demise of President John Evans Atta Mills, your swearing-in was conducted with the solemnity and simplicity befitting the moment. Much as I understand that that was not a swearing-in after an election, still, that event was a poignant reminder that state ceremonies need not be extravagant to be meaningful.

Similarly, when presidents travel abroad, and the vice president temporarily assumes the role, there is no lavish ceremony. The absence of pageantry in these instances does not diminish the significance of the office; rather, it underscores the practicality of leadership.

Around the world, there are examples of nations adopting modest approaches to presidential inaugurations. In 2013, Georgia deliberately planned a “modest” inauguration for its new president, Giorgi Margvelashvili, as a show of fiscal responsibility. The event, held in a historic square, was scaled down, with fewer guests and reduced costs. Similarly, in neighboring Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré’s inauguration in 2015 was marked by simplicity in acknowledgment of the nation’s economic realities.

In many Western countries, presidential inaugurations are modest and focused on constitutional formalities rather than grand displays. For instance, France holds a simple ceremony at the Élysée Palace, marked by a transfer of power and a brief address without public fanfare. Similarly, Ireland’s inaugurations, held at Dublin Castle, emphasize tradition and constitutional duties without excess. Germany and Italy, where the presidency is largely ceremonial, observe understated transitions; Germany lacks a public swearing-in, while Italy holds a formal oath-taking in parliament. Portugal follows a similar model, with a solemn ceremony in the National Assembly.

These restrained approaches prioritize fiscal prudence and respect for institutional roles over ostentation which contrasts sharply with more elaborate traditions in other parts of the world, mostly Africa, the even poorer continent. It is an ironical paradox.

Mr. President, you know way better than I do that state ceremonies are not merely symbolic; they have real financial implications. For example, Ghana’s 62nd Independence Day celebration in Tamale reportedly cost $3 million. The breakdown of this expenditure—covering logistics, security, and entertainment—revealed an opportunity cost that could have been redirected toward addressing pressing national issues like healthcare and education.

Is it not possible to commemorate Independence Day without the usual pomp and pageantry and rather save money for other needed development projects for the nation? Even a former Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, has called the Independence Day celebrations a “waste of money.” He argued that such resources could instead be used to improve infrastructure or invest in programs that directly benefit the citizenry. This sentiment resonates with Ghanaians like me who believe that state resources should be used judiciously, especially during times of economic hardship, like the one we find ourselves in at the moment.

In December 2022, Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, cancelled the country’s Independence Day celebrations and redirected the allocated budget of $445,000 toward building dormitories for children with special needs. This is something Ghana must learn from, Mr. President. This is something a man of your stature and opportunity can lead and achieve.

For instance, Ghana’s annual Farmers’ Day celebration is an opportunity to honor the backbone of the nation’s economy, yet its costs often eclipse the intended benefits. Scaling down such events could free up funds for agricultural development programs, providing long-term support for farmers.

Once again, Mr. President, this seems to be Ghana’s last opportunity for a reset. And it rests on you to lead the way, Sir.

Beyond ceremonies, this is a broader call for fiscal discipline, Mr. President.

Your legacy will be defined not just by the policies you implement but also by the ethos of your administration. Embracing modesty in state celebrations is more than a cost-saving measure; it is a reflection of the values that underpin good governance. It signals a leadership that is attuned to the needs of its people, willing to make sacrifices, and committed to building a resilient and equitable nation.

As you begin this new chapter, the decisions you make in managing state resources will set the tone for your tenure. Ghanaians are watching, not just for grand promises, but for actions that reflect the realities of their daily lives.

The grandeur of state ceremonies has its place, but it must be balanced with the economic realities facing the nation. As you lead Ghana forward, President Mahama, I humbly plead with you to let this term be marked by a commitment to resetting not just policies but also the culture of governance. Let it be a term that prioritizes the needs of the people over the trappings of power.

In doing so, you will not only honor the trust placed in you by the people but also set a legacy of fiscal prudence and thoughtful governance that future administrations can emulate.

Thank you, Sir. I hope to hear back from you soon. Better still, I hope to see you soon, in person.

About the Writer:

Theodore Abiwu [Efo] Korku Mawutor is the Vice President of the Institute of Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI). He is a Multimedia Journalist and a fellow of the Journalists in Social Protection, (JISOP) Ghana.