President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will deliver his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament today, in accordance with Article 67 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
This pivotal address comes as his tenure draws to a close ahead of the January 7, 2025, inauguration and swearing-in of President-Elect John Dramani Mahama.
“The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation”.
Article 67 , 1992 Constitution of Ghana
This address serves as an opportunity for the President to provide a comprehensive overview of Ghana’s economic, political, and social conditions while reflecting on his administration’s accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned since assuming office in 2017.
The ceremony is expected to draw a distinguished audience, including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Second Lady Samira Bawumia, the Chief Justice, former Heads of State, former Ministers of State, leaders of political parties, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional and religious leaders, and other notable dignitaries.
The broadcast, which will be aired nationwide, will allow citizens to hear firsthand the President’s reflections on his administration’s legacy.
Key Themes and Expectations
The State of the Nation Address is anticipated to cover a broad spectrum of issues across various sectors, with particular focus on the country’s current economic and financial situation.
This comes amidst Ghana’s ongoing program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has shaped much of the fiscal discourse over the past year.
Other critical issues expected to feature prominently include unemployment where the President is expected to give an update on government interventions aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of job creation, particularly among the youth.
The President would also provide an assessment of efforts to combat the devastating impact of illegal mining on the environment, insights into the government’s investments in infrastructure, teacher training, and policy reforms such as Free SHS, an update on healthcare delivery, particularly following the recent outbreak of Cholera, and strides in universal healthcare access.
Others include progress updates on road construction, housing projects, and energy sector reforms and measures taken to safeguard citizens amidst regional threats and global security challenges.
Overall, as President Akufo-Addo prepares to hand over power to President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, this address provides a platform to outline his administration’s achievements and challenges while proposing measures for the incoming administration to build on.
Notable accomplishments are expected to include flagship initiatives like the Free SHS program, Planting for Food and Jobs, and advancements in digitization.
At the same time, the President is likely to reflect on the difficulties faced during his tenure, such as navigating Ghana’s economic recovery post-COVID-19, managing inflation, and addressing public concerns about governance and accountability.
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