Security measures have been significantly enhanced in and around the Parliamentary Precinct in anticipation of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA). The heightened security includes thorough checks conducted by the police before granting access to members of parliament, parliamentary staff, media personnel, and invited guests as part of precautionary measures.
The Parliamentary Precinct is abuzz with activity, with police motorbikes on display and showcases of rich Ghanaian culture adding to the atmosphere. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, alongside Majority Leader Kwamena Afenyo-Markin and Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, is slated to welcome the President for his address.
Dignitaries expected to attend include Ministers of State, members of the diplomatic community, Members of the Council of State, clergy, political party leaders, and the general public. Guests expressed a range of views, with some anticipating a message of hope from the President following recent reshuffles, while others are optimistic about the continuation of good governance.
As per Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, the President is mandated to deliver a message on the SONA at the start of each session of Parliament and before its dissolution. Members of Parliament and the Judiciary are obliged to receive the President's address. SONA serves as a constitutional obligation and annual tradition, during which the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces reports on the nation's status, unveils the government's agenda for the upcoming year, and proposes legislative measures to Parliament.
