Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South in the Ashanti Region, has taken President John Dramani Mahama to task over his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Addressing the President’s speech on the floor of Parliament, Nana Awuah expressed disappointment and concern over the President’s failure to address the rising insecurity in Ghana.
“Right Honorable Speaker, I can appreciate why he failed to skip that. I can appreciate why he skipped that. It’s simple; he could not have mentioned that without admitting the fact that since he took over the helm of power, unprecedented mayhem have been visited on the people of this country,” Nana Awuah stated.
“He failed to acknowledge that we handed over to him a peaceful country… He could not, Mr. Speaker, because he would have also had to acknowledge what happened in Obuasi on the faithful day of Saturday, 18th January 2025, where seven people lost their lives.”
The Manhyia South MP also criticized the President for failing to outline a clear plan to maintain law and order in the country.
“Sadly, Mr. Speaker, the President appeared in this house to talk about this, but failed to give us a clear plan in maintaining law and order… Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, another economic dialogue is required on how to maintain law and order, another dialogue is required on how to maintain security,” he said.
Nana Awuah further expressed concern over the President’s fascination with the figure of $10 billion, citing the example of the Hope City project, which was launched 12 years ago.
“The fascination with $10 billion, Mr. Speaker, is curious… The fascination of the President with the figure $10 billion is curious,” he stated.
The Manhyia South MP also questioned the President’s commitment to job creation, citing the example of the guardians who were employed under the previous administration.
“He acknowledged that he inherited 2 million unemployment population, but he failed to also state that he had made several hundred thousand, several thousands of people unemployed within two months of being in office… What is now the population of the unemployed youth of this country?” he asked.
Nana Awuah concluded by emphasizing the need for the President to take responsibility for the rising insecurity and unemployment in the country.
“He could not, Mr. Speaker, because he would have also had to acknowledge that it was under his watch that Anglo-Gold Ashanti closed down… ”
“But Mr. Speaker, the good news is that under the leadership of Nana Addo and the New Patriotic Party, Anglo-Gold Ashanti is now fully operational and is doing so well,” he said.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
