Ghana’s Parliament concludes debate on Akufo-Addo’s SONA 2020

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The Majority Leader Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on Tuesday descended heavily on former President John Dramani Mahama over his failure to participate in this year’s State of the Nation Address delivered to Parliament by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The Suame lawmaker heavily chided the former President and described his action as nauseating and humiliating as both former living Presidents John A. Kufour and Jerry J. Rawlings honoured the invitation and more especially former President Mahama had not travelled outside the country during the occasion.

The House Leader castigated the former President, for what he termed as a regrettable and unworthy behaviour of a former Head of State who is seeking the mandate of Ghanaians to rule them for another four years and therefore called on the citizenry to reject his second term bid.

Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu similarly expressed displeasure over the failure of his colleague Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to officially inform the Leadership of the House about their decision to abstain from the debate on the message of the State of the Nation.

The Suame MP said a boycott of important events like the State of the Nation Address must be discouraged and described the actions of his colleagues on the Minority side as regrettable and shameful.

Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made these remarks as the House concluded the debate to thank the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the message on his fourth State of the Nation Address delivered to Parliament last week, boycotted by the Minority NDC MPs in Parliament.

He touted the NPP Government’s successes in the areas of peace and security, education, railways development, governance and in macro-economic activities and the flagship One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.

Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah who is also the MP for Suame Constituency in Ashanti Region indicated that the President had highlighted the fundamental elements of the economy and outlined measures to propel socio-economic development.

He emphasized that all the micro-economic indicators were pointing to the right direction and said even the depreciation of the cedi was a temporary development which has been reversed.

The Suame MP echoed that every single macroeconomic indicator has improved since January 2017 and as result of the now buoyant economy, the Bank of Ghana was working hard to clear all the mess in the country’s financial sector to ensure a sound banking system for the country.

He trumpeted the economic achievements of the economy since the NPP administration took over the helm of affairs in 2017 from what, he described as, the ugly and faltering economy inherited from the NDC administration.

The Majority Leader asserted that even though the NPP inherited a collapsing financial sector that led to failing banks and considerable agony to many people, the NPP government took steps to raise over GH¢13 billion to pay the more than 4.6 million affected customers of the banks.

He emphasized that the NPP is delivering on its manifesto promise to provide a competent administration for the people and argued that the government is determined not to go back to the programmes that will not benefit the country in long run.

The lawmaker who also doubles as the Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs posited that all the macro-economic indicators have improved significantly, which shows a positive outlook for the country culminating in Ghana exiting the IMF programme.

He emphasized that the NPP is delivering on its manifesto promise to provide a competent administration for the people and argued that the government is determined not to go back to the programmes that will not benefit the country in long run.

He however acknowledged the achievements of the immediate past National Democratic Congress (NDC) government in the energy, especially the power sector for its massive investment in the installation of energy infrastructure and security.

After the debate by the House, the Speaker of Parliament, the Right Honourable Professor Aaron Michael Ocquaye, stated that a report would be sent to His Excellency he President.

Source: Daily Mail GH