SONA expectations: Address governance, economic stability issues — Experts

Three experts have urged President John Dramani Mahama to use the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to outline measures to implement the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) Report to deliver a fit-for-purpose governance system that will address the scourge of corruption and put Ghana back in the development race. 

They said the speech must also address how to protect stability, produce more at home, create jobs, strengthen non-traditional exports and ensure that economic growth improves everyday life.

They said it must focus on major issues such as the long-term national development plan, the fight against illegal mining and the pollution of water bodies.

The three, an Economist, Dr Samuel Addo; a Management Consultant, William Dowokpor and a governance expert, Dr John Osae-Kwapong, were sharing their expectations of the President’s SONA today (Friday, February 27) in separate interviews with the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday.

Stability

In his view, Dr Addo explained that sustained growth must benefit ordinary citizens, such as investing in schools, hospitals and other social infrastructure for vulnerable households and improving living standards.

He, therefore, said the address must move the national conversation beyond economic recovery and focus more on sustaining high growth, stressing that “sustained growth means steady economic progress, not erratic and stunted economic growth.”

Dr Addo, who is also a Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Ghana, said prices must remain under control so that food, transport and rent do not rise sharply again.

“The cedi should stay relatively stable to prevent sudden increases in the cost of imported goods.

The government must also continue spending carefully and avoid borrowing beyond its means.

If discipline is maintained, businesses and investors will feel confident to expand,” he stated. 

Growth

Dr Addo said aside from prioritising productivity-led growth, the primary engines of expansion should come from Ghana’s non-oil sectors—agriculture, manufacturing, ICT and services.

“Industrialisation under the 24-hour economy initiative, support for agro-processing and incentives for domestic value addition in cocoa, gold and petroleum can reposition the economy away from raw commodity dependence,” he said. 

Governance

A management consultant, William Dowokpor, said he expected President Mahama to provide an update on the implementation of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) Report to deliver a fit-for-purpose governance system that would deal with the scourge of corruption and put Ghana back in the development race.

He said the SONA must also focus on the major issues, such as the long-term national development plan, the fight against illegal mining and the pollution of our water bodies.

Democracy

He said President Mahama was best placed to change the country’s democratic trajectory from electoral democracy, where political parties major in winning elections and sharing the spoils to the neglect of development, “given his depth of knowledge, skills and experience at the presidency.”  

“What is the status of the 40-year national development plan? Will the third CRC report and recommendations be put on the proverbial shelf to gather dust?

Would the President look at illegal mining and pollution of our water bodies as an act of war and respond accordingly or treat it as a ‘fair” political game that allows party in power members also to make money for themselves and the party,” he asked.  

Economic gains

On his part, a governance expert, Dr John Osae-Kwapong, noted that the economic indicators over the last year point to an economy in almost full recovery mode, saying that “this is a step in the right direction.”

He said, beyond touting the economic gains made over the last year, the President must address how those gains will be sustained in a way that positions the country to withstand any internal and external pressures it may unexpectedly face.

He said he expected the President to provide an update on progress in the fight against corruption beyond the ORAL cases, the status of the new COCOBOD Bill, and reassurances to cocoa farmers to help address the pain of the cut.

“I expect the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to say the country is doing great.

I expect the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to say the country is not doing well,” he added.