President Akufo Addo’s Final State of the Nation Address (SONA) sparked a variety of reactions across the political spectrum, with some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC ) criticizing his claims and omissions.
First, the MP for Ningo-Prampram Hon. Sam George expressed strong dissatisfaction with the President’s claims during the address, stating unequivocally that the President had “misled the house.”
He dismissed the President’s assertions regarding the energy sector and broader economic conditions, presenting counterarguments supported by data and observations.
“When the President claims that he took over a country where the lights were off, that’s not true. In 2016, there was no ‘dumsor.“
Hon. Sam George MP for Ningo-Prampram
Hon. Sam George pointed to the growing energy sector debt as evidence of mismanagement. He began;
“Today, as we speak, we have a debt of 2,700,000,000 in the energy sector. The lights are on with a huge debt sitting there.”
Hon. Sam George MP for Ningo-Prampram
The MP further criticized the rushed nature of the government’s financial appropriations. He emphasized;
“Yesterday [Thursday], they hurriedly laid the appropriation on accounts because they realized the folly of their actions when they failed to do that before Parliament rose for Christmas. They couldn’t have paid external coupons without that approval.”
Hon. Sam George MP for Ningo-Prampram
Hon. Sam George also decried the omission of key issues such as the National Cathedral, foreign exchange rates, and fuel prices, accusing the President of peddling “untruths” and failing to address the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians.
“The President failed to speak about foreign exchange rates, the fact that he took over the dollar at 4, and today it’s around 17. He failed to talk about petrol prices or anything that affects the ordinary Ghanaian.”
Hon. Sam George MP for Ningo-Prampram
On the LGBTQ+ bill, Hon. Sam George highlighted delays despite earlier commitments. He added; “The courts have dispensed of the case. It’s been almost a month, yet the President has not acted.”
Hon. Sam George’s sharpest critique was reserved for the government’s much-touted Agenda 111. He ridiculed;
“The President said Agenda 111, but he counts it as 1+ 1+1=3 because out of 111, only three are completed. And these three are empty shell buildings without equipment.”
“President Akufo-Addo is a master class in how not to lead a country. Political science students will study his governance on how to run a thriving economy into the ground.”
Hon. Sam George MP for Ningo-Prampram
Moreover, the Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency Hon. Francis- Xavier Kojo Sosu offered a more measured yet critical evaluation of the President’s speech, describing it as “generally good” but “uninspiring.”
He believed the President missed an opportunity to acknowledge shortcomings and chart a new course.
“It was uninspiring because I thought, being the last speech and knowing the sentiments of Ghanaians about his government, he could make some moderate concessions where he knows things have not really gone well.”
Hon. Francis- Xavier Kojo Sosu MP for Madina Constituency
Hon. Sosu took issue with the President’s depiction of economic progress, particularly regarding unemployment and currency depreciation. He recounted;
“When you came, unemployment was around 8%. [Today], it’s 14.7%. The cedi was about 4 or 3.8 to a dollar; today, it’s around 17.”
Hon. Francis- Xavier Kojo Sosu MP for Madina Constituency
While acknowledging the impact of global shocks such as COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, Hon. Sosu emphasized the importance of leadership in addressing such challenges.
“It is not wrong to make humble admissions where things have not gone right. Once you take responsibility of your inaction in the aspect of your governace, it is so easy to then rise above inaction and actions.”
Hon. Francis- Xavier Kojo Sosu MP for Madina Constituency
On constitutional reform, Hon. Sosu expressed disagreement with the President’s call for caution.
“Our constitution really needs a review. President Mills began a Constitutional Review Commission, and President Mahama has committed to continuing this work. We shouldn’t be scared at all to move forward to change our political system by way of changing our constitution.”
Hon. Francis- Xavier Kojo Sosu MP for Madina Constituency
Both MPs criticized the President’s record on human rights, with Hon. Sosu offering detailed observations on key issues.
Accroding to Hon. Sosu, President Akufo Addo has not done great when it comes to human rights. He added that in Akufo Addo’s tenure peaceful demonstrations were repressed, and his administration was oppressive toward free speech.
Hon. Sosu highlighted legislative failures, such as the President’s refusal to sign bills protecting vulnerable groups.
Additionally, he noted that the president did not sign the main death penalty bill and refused to sign the amendment for the Armed Forces. He also failed to sign the witchcraft bill, which protects elderly women accused of witchcraft.
Hon. Sosu called on the President to use his remaining time in office to rectify these lapses.
”As we speak now, there are 187 people on death row. He has a good opportunity to commit their death sentences to life. And I believe he can still do that before he goes.”
Hon. Francis- Xavier Kojo Sosu MP for Madina Constituency
Diverging Yet Unified Critiques
Both Hon. Sam George and Hon. Sosu Xavier presented compelling critiques of the President’s address, albeit from different angles.
While Hon Sam George adopted a more confrontational tone, focusing on misleading claims and economic mismanagement, Hon. Sosu provided a nuanced perspective, emphasizing the need for reflection and humility.
Their evaluations underscore widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s performance and the need for a more transparent and accountable approach to governance.
As Ghana moves toward its next chapter, these critiques serve as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.
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