President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivered his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Friday, January 3, 2024.
As mandated by Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, the address allows the outgoing President to report on the country’s status before leaving office.
This event also marked the final session of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic, which is set to be dissolved on Monday, January 6, 2025.
MESSAGE ON THE STATE OF THE NATION ON THE DISSOLUTION OF THE 8TH PARLIAMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, ON FRIDAY, 3RD JANUARY 2020, AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE, ACCRA.
Mr Speaker, As my constitutionally mandated period as President of our country nears its very end, I come before the august House to perform my last official public duty. I am grateful for the opportunity to give an accounting of my time in office, spell out the highlights of the state of our nation, and place on record the Ghana I am handing over to my successor.
In accordance with protocol and convention, it is good to see that my wife, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Second Lady Samira Bawumia, President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, incoming First Lady Lordina Mahama, Vice President-Elect Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Spouse of Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Alice Adjua Yornas Bagbin, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, and Justices of the Supreme Court, Chairperson Nana Otuo Siriboe Il and Members of the Council of State, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei Opare, and officials of the presidency, Secretary to the Cabinet, Ambassador Mercy Debrah-Karikari, Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces, Lt. General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and the various Service Chiefs, are all present. Mr. Speaker, the House is also duly honoured by the welcome attendance of the former President of the Republic John Agyekum Kufuor, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, and the Dean and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Mr Speaker, before I commence my Message on the State of the Nation, I want to put on record that I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire at Kantamanto market, which took place yesterday [January 2], and has left many traders and their livelihoods in ruins. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and I extend heartfelt sympathies to the hardworking traders who have lost their goods and investments.
Government stands with you, and will work with relevant agencies to ascertain the causes of the fire, and to provide the needed support. As a nation, let us unite in compassion and solidarity to help those who have suffered losses.
Together, we can extend a helping hand to our fellow Ghanaians in need during this challenging time. Mr.
Speaker, it is important to state, at the outset, that serving the Ghanaian people as President has been the greatest honour of my life. It has been one of great challenges and even greater triumphs, one that has demanded every ounce of my energy, commitment and love for our beloved country. My vision has always been to see a Ghana that is self reliant, prosperous and united — a beacon of hope, democracy and opportunity in Africa and beyond. That vision remains undimmed, and I am confident that the strides we have made together will propel Ghana to even greater heights.
Mr Speaker, the first responsibility of a government is the safety and security of the state and its people. I am happy to report that our country’s territorial integrity is intact and all our borders are secure. In a
neighbourhood of widespread instability, it is no longer an assumption we can make that our land would be safe and secure. Ghana, by the grace of God, remains the only country in the neighbourhood that has not fallen victim to terrorist violence.
It has taken a lot of concerted effort, and, dare I say, a lot of money to enable us protect our country from the ravages of the variety of terrorist groups operating and destabilising other countries in the neighbourhood.