SONA 2018: President Akufo-Addo Showers Praises on Ministers to the Displeasure of Many

President Akufo-Addo delivering his 2018 SONA

Accra, February 8, 2018//-Many Ghanaians switched on their television channels and other forms of the broadcast media to watch and listen to a message of hope from their darling President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the mid-morning of today.

He was in Parliament to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA)  in fulfillment of Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.

Although President Akufo-Addo highlighted some of the nation’s achievements and challenges, many Ghanaians were appalled at the manner he showered tonnes of praises on some of his 110 ministers including the Vice President Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia who returned from a medical leave abroad some few days ago.

The singing praises on government appointees on SONA  is alien in the history of the country’s 4th Republic.  Ghana is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary of the 4th Republic.

Here are some of the SONA 2018 praises

VICE PRESIDENT

“I am glad to be able to report that the Economic Management Team, under the stellar leadership of the strong, brilliant economist, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, has risen to the challenge, and the hard work is beginning to show positive results”.

MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT

“Mr. Speaker, thanks to the diligence of the hardworking Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, MP for Sunyani West, we have been able to transfer some GH¢3.1 billion of Tier 2 pension funds into the custodial accounts of the pension schemes of the labour unions, funds that have been outstanding for six years, and about which the labour unions had been loudly complaining”.

SENIOR MINISTER

“Just this morning, the respected Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, launched the Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship Programme at the Accra Digital Centre”.

MINISTER OF REGIONAL REORGANISATION

“This portends well, and I believe this exercise will be a success, especially as it is being undertaken with scrupulous adherence to the teachings of the Constitution in this sensitive area, under the skilful direction of the experienced Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, Hon. Dan Botwe, MP for Okere”.

MINISTER OF LOCAL GOV’T

“I have no doubt that the resourceful Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, MP for Nalerigu Gambaga, will be able to shepherd this process to a positive conclusion”.

MINISTER OF AVIATION

“Mr Speaker, a modern, reliable network of roads, railways, water transport and airports would transform our country, and I am delighted to note that fresh enthusiasm has entered the aviation sector, under the guidance of the dynamic Minister for Aviation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to link up all parts of the country by air”.

COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER

“The start of the digital address system, the introduction of paperless transactions at our ports, the rapid and continuing spread of broadband services are all helping to formalise and modernise our economy, thanks to the creative leadership of the intrepid Minister for Communications, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP for Ablekuma West”.

 MINISTER OF EDUCATION

“A look at the national budget would tell you we are spending a lot of money on education, and I am certain that it is a worthwhile investment, being brilliantly supervised by that charismatic Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Manhyia South”.

MINISTER OF HEALTH

“In much the same way, we dare not compromise on the health of the population. We have cleared a substantial part of the debts and arrears that were choking the National Health Insurance Scheme, courtesy of the prudent management of the able chartered accountant, Health Minister Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu, MP for Dormaa Central”.

MINISTER OF FISHERIES

“We have identified 100 dams in five regions across the country – Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Volta and Western – and stocked them with fingerlings. This is the start of big things to come, due to the efforts of the forceful Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, MP for Krowor”.

MINISTERS OF ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS

“Mr Speaker, problems associated with our environment and the galamsey phenomenon have taken up a lot of the time and energy of this government. The fight against galamsey is being spearheaded by a high-powered Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by the globally-acclaimed Ghanaian scientist, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister for Science, Technology, Environment and Innovation, supported by the indefatigable Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu”.

MINISTR OF ENERGY

“We shall promote and enthusiastically encourage investment and use of renewable energy. I am sure that the House shares my relief that DUMSOR is no longer part of our everyday lexicon. Long may it stay so, as we applaud the efforts of the tireless Minister, Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko”.

Are these praises necessary?

As a president who was voted into office should not engage in praise-singing at any opportunity given to address the citizens whose economic conditions are yet to improve by the government policies and programmes.

Also, Ghanaians voted massively for him in the 2016 elections to come to power to solve the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

Advice

People who are closed to the president should admonish him to tune down on the public praise-singing of his ministers and other government appointees.

As leadership experts say good leaders don’t always shower praises on their teams or charges. They rather encourage them to give-off their best.

By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report

mk68008@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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