H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo, the President and Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed is expected to address Parliament today the 30th of March 2022 on the State of the Nation. This was announced by the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin during sitting on Tuesday.
In accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the President, is required to give an account of the State Of The Nation on yearly basis.
Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution states that “the President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament, a message on the State of the Nation.”
The Address will help set out the government’s policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead.
It also offers the President the opportunity to highlight the achievements of his government, the challenges faced, and outline developmental measures for the next financial year.
The Presidency has on several occasions postponed this constitutional obligation for unknown reasons but before the commencement of public business on 29th March 2022, Speaker Bagbin charged the House to fast truck business of the day as scheduled in order to adjourn early.
According to him, early adjournment will enable MPs to prepare for the program and also allow some rehearsal and some artistic/decor work to take place in and around the Chamber to receive the President.
After the Independence Day celebrations, President Akufo-Addo received backlash from members of the Minority Caucus as well as civil society organizations over the delay in presenting the crucial Address.
However, the Presidency explained that missing the March 3 schedule stalled stakeholder engagements on some key bills, including the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, announced in Parliament on Friday that a motion will be moved on Thursday, March 31, to thank the President for the State of the Nation Address.
He added that a time would be allotted to members to make contributions, eight from each side of the House.
The debate on the Address is expected to be concluded on Saturday, April 2.
