Accra, Ghana – President Nana Akufo-Addo delivered his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) to parliament on Wednesday, amid a technical hiccup that caused a late start.
The president, who is due to leave office in January 2025 after serving two terms, used the occasion to highlight his achievements and challenges, as well as his vision for the future of Ghana.
Apology from the Speaker
The address was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., but it was delayed by more than an hour due to a problem with the public address system in the chamber.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Algban Bagbin, apologized for the inconvenience and explained that the issue was beyond the control of the House.
He also expressed his regret to the dignitaries present, including members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, and other guests.
Highlights of the Address
When the president finally took the podium, he received a warm welcome from both sides of the aisle, as well as cheers from the public gallery.
He began by thanking the people of Ghana for giving him the opportunity to serve them for eight years, and praised the role of parliament in advancing the country’s democracy. He then proceeded to outline the achievements of his administration in various sectors, such as education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, security, and foreign policy.
He also acknowledged the challenges that his government faced, especially the impact of the global economic downturn and the novel coronavirus pandemic, which he said tested the resilience and ingenuity of Ghanaians. He commended the efforts of the health workers, security agencies, civil society, media, and religious leaders in combating the virus and mitigating its effects.
He also expressed his gratitude to the international community for their solidarity and support.
Vision for the Future
The president concluded his address by sharing his vision for the future of Ghana, which he said was based on the principles of freedom, justice, and prosperity.
He urged the next administration, which will be led by his successor, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, to continue the work of building a Ghana Beyond Aid, a self-reliant and prosperous nation that can take its rightful place in the world. He also called on all Ghanaians to remain united, peaceful, and patriotic, and to uphold the values and ideals of the nation’s founding fathers.
He said he was confident that Ghana would overcome its challenges and achieve its aspirations, with the help of God and the people. He ended his speech with a note of hope, saying, “The best days of Ghana are ahead of us. Let us march on, with faith in God and in ourselves, to create the Ghana of our dreams. God bless our homeland Ghana, and make our nation great and strong.”
Source: Modern Ghana
