On March 8, 2023, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is scheduled to deliver the State of the Nation Address in Parliament, as required by Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution. This article mandates that the President must provide an annual message on the state of the country at the start of each parliamentary session and before Parliament’s dissolution.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, announced the date during his presentation of the Business Statement for the week ending March 3, 2023. The State of the Nation Address is expected to cover a range of topics, including the government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the coming year, as well as its achievements and challenges.
However, the original date for the address was set for February 28, 2023. Still, it was postponed to March 8th, after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, determined that the initial date was not suitable. He explained that he had personally contacted the President through the Majority Leader, Ose Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and after a thorough discussion, both parties agreed to reschedule the address for March 8th.
According to Bagbin, the decision to change the date was necessary as both he and the President had to compromise on other assignments to make the new date work. Therefore, it is clear that the government considers the State of the Nation Address to be a crucial event, requiring significant preparation and planning.
The State of the Nation Address is an essential platform for the President to communicate the government’s plans, policies, and achievements to Parliament and the public. It is an opportunity to assess the current state of the country and provide a roadmap for the future. Therefore, it is important that the President and the Speaker of Parliament work together to ensure that the address is delivered under the most appropriate circumstances.
The State of the Nation Address is a crucial event in the political calendar of Ghana, providing an opportunity for the President to address the nation on the country’s state and present future plans. The decision to reschedule the address to March 8th demonstrates the importance that both the President and the Speaker of Parliament attach to the event. It is essential that the President and Parliament work together to ensure that the State of the Nation Address is delivered effectively and achieves its intended purpose.
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