Impact of 2020 State Of The Nation Address

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO

On Thursday, 20th February, 2020, President Akufo-Addo delivered a State of the Nation Address which focused on steps taken so far by the government to improve various sectors of the economy. The President began with the Year of Return and its economic impact on the country by way of foreign investment and went ahead to speak about what to do beyond the return. Other issues discussed include steps taken to address the banking crisis that immersed in the country not long ago discussing the steps taken so far to sanitise the system. Also discussed is the sports sector which has also been sanitised making it possible for the Ghana Premier League to run smoothly under the president of GFA head, Kurt Okuraku Mante.

Reference was also made to the state of inflation which has been brought to the lowest level over the past three years in this country. These and other measures have been taken to sanitise the economic system and bring improvement into the economic fortunes of the country. Without good planning and consistency of development programmes, it will be difficult for the economy of Ghana to live up to expectation and be able to bring about the needed results needed to turn the fortunes of the country around.

So far, things have gone well even though there is still a long way to go and it is envisaged that the consistency of implementation of programs will continue unabated so as to experience the maximum benefit needed for the total comprehensive socio-economic development of the country. The socioeconomic fortunes of the country will not come about that easily unless special pragmatic steps are taken to bring it into fruition and this is what all Ghanaians expect to be carried out as we move forward as a country.

The delivery by the President on the occasion was excellent and the occasion was graced by the presence of the diplomatic corps and foreign dignitaries who had come to the Parliament House to witness the occasion. It was a never to be forgotten experience that was made to take place on that occasion and to show that as a country, Ghana has come of age with regard to its parliamentary credentials and practice.

One unfortunate incident that nearly marred the beauty of the occasion was the decision by the minority to boycott the proceedings after the president had entered Parliament House to deliver his address. During parliamentary democracy, various antics are used to create humour and interest and to make debate lively and interesting. Some of them are hot exchanges during debate or discussions and boycott of proceedings when one side of the house finds it necessary to do so.

The whole idea is to draw attention to certain things that they are not happy about. They may not be right but may pursue this path to drum home their concerns. It is therefore not surprising that this behaviour is exhibited from time to time by a group of parliamentarians who would want to exercise their legitimate rights in this way.  However, all in all, the president’s delivery was quite purposeful and focused, geared toward addressing the economic challenges facing the country.

Ghana has come of age and should therefore be encouraged in all sincerity to implement its policies in peace without needless distractions or disturbances from any quarters.

It is expected that unwarranted politicisation of issues would be minimised so that at the end of it all, it is the country as a whole that will benefit from sound economic policies and bring hope to everyone in the country, not forgetting the massive construction of roads currently ongoing in various parts of the country.

BY: DR KOFI AMPONSAH BEDIAKU, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATION, GHANA STANDARDS AUTHORITY.