Nana Addo says it as he sees it

Opposition elements in Ghana are complaining that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo failed to accomplish the expectations of his compatriots in his State of the Nation Address in late February. The president, as a matter of fact, did just that: he described the state of the nation to Ghanaians. But the opposition wanted more: they wanted the presi- dent to read them a budget statement that is contrary to what the constitution demands of him in the state of the nation. President Akufo-Addo said, “Mr. Speaker, to give a fair account of the state of our nation, I have to give an account of the state of our economy, of our governance and of our national culture and attitudes. This account will highlight some of the fundamental elements of the situation, and will not pretend to be a detailed, sectoral analysis of our condition. I leave that to the budget statement, to be delivered in ten days time.”

The president gave accounts of various sectors including economy, education, agriculture and health as inherited from the John Mahama-led administration and also outlined his vision for the development of the country for the next fiscal year. He said that the economy has declined considerably with only a 3.6 percent growth, the lowest in 23 years.

He reiterated his government’s commitment to reducing the public debt stock, introducing the free Senior High School initiative, ensur- ing the growth of the agricultural sector and transforming the country into an industrialized state. He assured Ghanaians that some ongoing projects would be finished by the end of this year.

He expressed his desire to cooperate with all state institutions to ensure the development of the country and to establish Ghana as an example on the continent.

The truth hurts but Ghanaians needed to know.