President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is set to deliver his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, Friday, January 3, 2025.
This significant exercise is in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
The presentation will address macroeconomic indicators, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, inflation, gross international reserves, policy objectives, job creation, and infrastructural development across various sectors.
It will be recalled that during Akufo-Addo’s penultimate SONA, delivered last year, he noted that the macro economy was significantly stronger at the end of 2023 compared to 2022.
Inflation, which peaked at 54.1 per cent in December 2022, had reduced to 23.5 per cent by January 2024.
President Akufo-Addo further highlighted that real GDP growth for the first three quarters of 2023 averaged 2.8 per cent, surpassing the targeted growth rate of 1.5 per cent for the year.
On the performance of the cedi, he stated that it had remained largely stable since February 2023, with a cumulative depreciation of 9 per cent between February and December 2023.
Gross international reserves also saw a significant increase, rising to US$5.9 billion.
The President has consistently emphasised the achievements of his administration, particularly in areas such as education, health, and infrastructure.
Three days after the President’s SONA, the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic will officially be dissolved.
On that same day, which is Monday, January 6, 2024, the 9th Parliament will convene at 11:00 PM to elect a Speaker and two Deputy Speakers.
A statement issued by the Parliamentary Service indicated that the Speaker-elect and the newly elected Members of Parliament will take their oaths at midnight, marking the transition to the next legislative term.