The People’s National Convention (PNC) has commended President Akufo-Addo’s proposition to address the country’s major concerns.

According to the party, for acknowledging the country’s economic difficulties in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Wednesday, March 8, the President is owning up to his responsiblities to the nation.

The PNC stated that the President’s gesture is a show of good faith to lead the country back to a buoyant economy.

“The President’s proposition to address the major concerns of the nation amongst them: the economy, roads and transports, education, health in the wake of Covid-19 devastation of the world economy coupled with the war in Ukraine is commendable.”
People’s National Convention

Contained in a statement issued on Monday, March 13, 2023, and jointly signed by General Secretary of the party, Janet Asana Nabla, and Communication Secretary Samuel Ayesu, it stated that the PNC acknowledges that the greatest sacrifice must be made by the government through cutting down on expenditures whiles ensuring effective revenue mobilization to meet essentials demands of the country. It highlighted that the country is in a period of economic difficulty that each and every citizen must make some sacrifices to save Ghana’s economy.

Additionally, the party called on Ghanaians to cooperate with the government in its effort to bring the economy back on track.

“We implore other opposition political parties, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs and all well-meaning Ghanaians to join hands with the government to bring the economy back on track through constructive criticisms and putting our partisan interest aside for the interest of all.”
People’s National Convention

Despite the praises showered on the President’s efforts by the PNC, some member of the minority have expressed dissatisfaction with President Akufo-Addo’s 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Reaction from NDC MPs on President’s SONA

Reacting to the SONA, Nelson-Rockson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, described as unfortunate the President’s declaration that the widespread and long-lasting nature of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic clearly showed that the COVID-19 funds were not misused.

Mr Dafeamekpor stated that it was unfortunate for the President to make a declaration that no COVID Fund was misused, whereas the Auditor-General, who was constitutionally mandated to audit state accounts had indicated, in a comprehensive audit report, some misapplication of Funds.

He explained the issue of the misuse of the Funds had come before Parliament and that the Speaker had referred the same to the committees of Finance and Health for investigation.

The South Dayi legislator opined that the Parliamentary enquiry would also establish the exact state of expenditure related to the COVID Funds.

Subsequently, Mr Dafeamekpor noted that the President emphasized much on history, instead of telling Ghanaians what the situation was in 2022 compared to 2023. In critiquing the SONA by the President, especially with regards to the President talking about okada riders now abiding by traffic regulations, he stated that those matters should have been left for programme managers, while the President focused on critical issues.

On his part, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, ranking member on Parliament’s Health Committee, and MP for Juaboso, expressed worry over the President’s inability to tell Ghanaians exactly when the shortage of vaccines for the six childhood killer diseases would be resolved and urged the Government to tackle the issue as a national emergency.

Also, Dr Kwabena Donkor, MP for Pru East, touching on energy generation, revealed that the stability in the sector, being witnessed by the country, which the President spoke about, was a result of investments made by previous governments.

Prior to this, the member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed indicated that President Akufo-Addo was not honest with Ghanaians while delivering the state of the nation’s address.

According to him, the President failed to render a proper account of the current state of the economy.