On February 27, 2024, the President gave the much-awaited State of the Nation Address (SONA), detailing major accomplishments, difficulties, and plans for the country’s future.
The speech caught the country’s attention with its precise political statements and tacit endorsement.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the economic difficulties facing Ghana, stressing the responsibility of the executive branch and the president’s role in consulting with experts and overseeing the country’s finances.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, had previously stated that the Economic Management Team (EMT) had little power to make decisions.
Dr. Bawumia’s statements underscored the challenges of economic management, and the president’s speech supported this notion.
Akufo-Addo emphasized the government’s strategic planning initiatives to keep Ghana safe from extremism in the surrounding regions. In tackling the current economic issues, he emphasized allocating resources to support military preparedness.
Reaction from Opposition
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament, responded by expressing despair about Ghana’s socioeconomic situation and criticizing the leadership’s shortcomings and the country’s economic difficulties.
According to him, Vice President Bawumia and President Akufo-Addo shared accountability.
In the latter moments of his speech, the President made a suggestion on the general elections of 2024 and the choice of a successor.
During the discussion of the election results, he seemed to be indirectly endorsing Vice President Bawumia’s candidacy, thus establishing a path for political succession.
Expert Analysis
The Democracy Project’s executive director, Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, applauded President Akufo-Addo for emphasizing his accomplishments and obstacles in his speech
He outlined the policies of the government, emphasizing changes in education, the construction of infrastructure, and digitization.
Akufo-Addo’s 2024 State of the Nation Address, which combined political shrewdness with responsibility, made a lasting impression.
A question remains: who will continue the legacy as Ghana prepares for elections? given the address’s subtle endorsement of Vice President Bawumia.
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