In the aftermath of President Akufo-Addo’s latest State of the Nation Address (SONA), Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Executive Director of The Ark Foundation, has expressed disappointment in the content of the address, emphasizing that it fell short of offering a clear and honest assessment of the nation’s current state.
Speaking during an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Dwamena-Aboagye stated, “I was a bit disappointed because I didn’t hear the true state of the nation; instead, I heard more about what has been accomplished under my administration.”
Her reaction is a call for more transparency and a shift in the approach to SONA.
While SONA has traditionally served as a moment for the president to outline the government’s progress, achievements, and future direction, Dwamena-Aboagye believes the focus on listing accomplishments often overshadows the broader issues that need attention.
“This is not just something unique to Akufo-Addo. I think this has been happening for some time, and we need to address it,” she added.
For Dwamena-Aboagye, the State of the Nation Address should be a comprehensive reflection on the current state of the country, not just a highlight reel of achievements.
“If it’s a State of the Nation, it should be about the state of the nation,” she said, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to national reflection.
Amidst the numerous challenges bedevwliing Ghana, including economic concerns, health sector issues, and education reform, Dwamena-Aboagye is calling for the president to use the platform to address these in greater depth.
She stressed, “Use other opportunities available to you as president to address what you have achieved. There are many opportunities for that.”
