As President John Dramani Mahama prepares to deliver his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025, Dr. Samuel Afriyie, a political and economic analyst, has raised concerns about the growing trend of politically skewed narratives in past addresses.
Speaking to ABC News GH, he criticized how successive governments use SONA to highlight their own achievements while downplaying national challenges.
“What I have realized from the Fourth Republic, especially during transitions, is that outgoing governments focus on their achievements and less on their challenges, while the incoming government emphasizes problems rather than solutions,” he noted.
He argued that this approach creates a misleading picture of governance, reducing SONA to a political tool rather than a fair and balanced account of national progress.
The analyst further expressed particular interest in how President Mahama will address the economy, security, and employment.
He recalled the President’s earlier statement describing the current state of affairs as a “crime scene,” and insisted that “if the situation is truly a crime scene, then there must be criminals—he should tell us who they are.”
Additionally, he expects the President to outline measures to improve security in areas deemed unsafe, as well as strategies for economic recovery and job creation.
With businesses struggling and youth unemployment rising, he believes that Ghanaians deserve clarity on policies that will drive economic growth and restore investor confidence.
Another key issue he raised was the number of last-minute appointments made during the transition period.
He urged the President to provide details on appointments sanctioned by the previous administration after the December 7 elections, referencing a letter issued by the Chief of Staff at the time.
“We need transparency—people are abusing the data being shared, and the President must clarify these details,” he stated.
His comments come as Parliament begins its sitting, with Speaker Alban Bagbin presiding over proceedings.
Meanwhile, President Mahama just walked to the microphone to give his address.
