A Deputy Information and Media Relations Minister, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu has given the assurance that the President’s state of the nation address on Tuesday will paint an accurate picture of the gains the government has made and the challenges it is currently facing.
The President, John Mahama is scheduled to deliver his second state of the nation address on February 25 in Parliament in accordance with the 1992 constitution.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Monday, Mr. Kwakye-Ofosu indicated that since discussions about the economy have become topical in recent times, “it will not be out of place for the President to touch on measures that will ensure that they address concerns to the economy and also adopt a paradigm shift that will enable us weather the storm of perennial over reliance on imports.”
He also hinted that the President is likely to talk on the energy and water crisis being experienced in the country while progress in the educational, health, agricultural sectors will also be addressed.
The Deputy Information Minister maintained that within the past year, “very concrete successes have been achieved in several sectors of our national life and the President may give an account of that.”
According to him, President Mahama shares in the concerns Ghanaians have been expressing in recent times regarding the state of affairs in the country but it will in no way “prevent him from making a case for what has been done over the last 12 months.”
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu urged the President to be truthful to Ghanaians and recount the exact state of the nation while prescribing the potent measures the government is taking to address the situation.
He stated that he is expecting the president will acknowledge the fact that he needs the help of all and sundry to help solve the current economic crisis saying, “I am expecting the President to create a platform for consensus building, to bring all brains on board, let’s recognize that no single political party in such situation may be able to help us through or act alone.”
Mr. Mensah Bonsu was however quick to add that for the government to get help and assistance, it will depend “on the demeanor of the person presenting the statement, depending on the content.”