Former President John Dramani Mahama has said he will not be part of the Independence Day anniversary in Ho today, Monday, March 6.
He accused the organizers of the event of turning the occasion into a political party jamboree where New Patriotic Party supporters are bussed to cheer up their leaders.
Dramani Mahama disclosed that the Independence Day celebration is a national solemn day and should not be hijacked by a political party.
Speaking at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Professional Forum Dinner and Awards Night in Accra on Sunday, March 5, Mr Mahama who is seeking to be elected flagbearer of the NDC ahead of the 2024 general elections said “I just came from the Volta Region, and just when I was leaving they were preparing to celebrate the Independence Day.
I have stopped going to celebrate the Independence day because it has become a party jamboree.
I went to Tamale and they told GBC to take the camera off me, they bussed their supporters in and filled the whole stadium.
“When I got into the stadium the place was quiet, I went and sat, they gave me some corner somewhere, I went and sat there and they occupied the dais.
When any of them came [the supporters] shouted.
“I said I don’t want to be part of this party jamboree.
Independence is a solemn national celebration that is celebrated at Independence Square and everybody could come.
Today, they bussed their supporters in, they have party flags, and they are wearing party T-Shrts, I don’t want to be part of the party jamboree.
“Nkrumah got us independence, I am a Nkrumahist, I will attend an Independence Day anniversary any day if it is not hijacked by one party, it is a national day for all of us, so I am not going to be there because I don’t want to be part of an NPP Jamboree.
You watch what will happen, they will bus their people there and occupy the whole place.” former hardworking and transparent president quipped.
