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In the wake of President John Mahama’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), Kojo Vincent Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for the Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency, has voiced strong criticism, questioning the President’s failure to address key issues upon which the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaigned during the 2024 elections.
Speaking in parliament following the SONA delivery, Oppong Nkrumah, a Ghanaian politician and lawyer, expressed disappointment that the address failed to tackle the concerns that resonated with millions of young Ghanaians during the election season. “The things that millions of young Ghanaians were expecting Mahama to talk on got lost in the cracks,” he stated, emphasizing the perceived disconnect between campaign promises and the content of the address.
According to Oppong Nkrumah, a central plank of Mahama’s 2024 campaign revolved around the high cost of living, particularly the burden of escalating transport fares. He alleged that Mahama promised to implement programs to alleviate this pressure if elected. However, the Ofoase-Ayirebi MP noted with dismay that the President dedicated a significant portion of the SONA to “lamenting and blaming past heads of states, just like he did in 2013,” rather than outlining concrete solutions.
Beyond transport costs, Oppong Nkrumah highlighted other critical areas where Mahama’s address fell short of expectations. He pointed to the President’s previous criticisms of high electricity bills, stating that Mahama had campaigned on the premise of reducing the financial strain on citizens. However, the SONA failed to present any specific proposals or government programs aimed at addressing this persistent issue, leaving parliamentarians without a framework for meaningful debate and potential legislative action.
Similarly, the issue of soaring food inflation, a topic frequently raised by Mahama during his time in opposition, was conspicuously absent from the State of the Nation Address. Oppong Nkrumah argued that this omission further demonstrated the President’s failure to translate campaign rhetoric into tangible policy proposals.
Concluding his remarks, Oppong Nkrumah directed a pointed message to the government bench, urging a shift away from campaign tactics and towards concrete action. “The NDC have won the elections and their propaganda won’t solve problems,” he declared. “Rather, they should roll out their government programme.” This statement underscored Oppong Nkrumah’s call for the Mahama administration to prioritize the implementation of its promised policies and focus on addressing the pressing issues facing the Ghanaian populace. The criticism raises questions about the direction of the NDC government and its commitment to delivering on its electoral promises.
