President Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, February 27, delivered his State of the Nation Address for the year 2024 to members of parliament. In his speech, the President delved into a comprehensive array of topics including security, education, the economy and digitalization.
Below, we have summarized the key points that were discussed during the address. You can also find the full text here.
- National Security: Ghana remains safe and secure despite regional threats of terrorism, highlighting the government’s investment, vigilance on the part of security forces, and other preventive measures put in place.
- Security Forces Strengthened: Expansion and welfare improvement of armed forces and security agencies to combat emerging threats and ensure peace.
- Economic Stability: Implementing the Gold for Oil Programme to mitigate forex pressures, stabilize fuel prices, and maintain economic stability. The president stated that “the macroeconomy was much stronger at the end of 2023 than in 2022. Inflation, which peaked at 54.1% in December 2022 has reduced to 23.5% in January 2024. Real GDP Growth for the first three quarters of 2023 averaged 2.8 percent, higher than the targeted growth rate of 1.5% for 2023. The cedi has been largely stable since February 2023, with a cumulative depreciation of nine percent (9%) between February and December 2023”
- Educational Advancements: Free SHS policy expansion, emphasis on STEM and TVET, and initiatives to remove financial barriers to higher education. The president encouraged both sides of the aisle to concentrate on finding ways to improve it
- Education Infrastructure Expansion: Increased educational facility investment, including new universities and schools. The government has proposed four new universities in Mampong (Ashanti Region), Akrodie (Bono Region), Bunso (Eastern Region) and Kintampo (Bono East) Region.
- Infrastructure Development: Significant investments in roads, railways, hospitals, and digitalization to enhance public services and stimulate economic growth. For instance, the president hinted that a new railway line covering about 100 km from Tema to Mpakadan in the Asuogyaman District is in its final stages of completion.
- Agricultural Innovations: The second phase of Planting for Food and Jobs will focus on large scale farming by creating Agricultural Zones aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency. In addition, he hinted at ridding the sector of drudgery by providing readily available machinery to attract the youth into farming.
- Tourism Boost: National monuments and museums have been modernized to preserve cultural heritage and promote tourism. Notable among them is the revival and revamping of the Kwame Nkrumah Museum. One other significant move has been the Year of Return Initiative which has bolstered the “December in Ghana” theme and increased tourist visits since 2019.
- Sports Revitalization: Plans to revive national football teams’ performance and host the African Games, showcasing Ghana’s commitment to sports. This includes the commitment towards hosting the All Africa Games, which has expedited the completion of the University of Ghana’s Stadium and the Boteyman Sports Complex. The President also plans to initiate a district grassroots football project primarily for talent identification and exploration.
- Industrialization pushes advancements in the one-district-one-factory. Policy and automotive assembly to drive industrial growth and diversification. The expansion of FSHS to include TVET institutes is evidence of the importance of technical Schools towards industrialization. He indicated that the development of some 321 1D1F has significantly provided over 170,000 job opportunities for Ghanaians.
- Democratic and Political Stability: Assurance of peaceful elections and support for democratic institutions such as the Electoral Commission to maintain political stability. He also indicated that there’s been a significant expansion of the security forces while making sure their general welfare is greatly prioritized.
- Social Security Improvements: SSNIT has come up with the SEED project to enhance the social security coverage expansion measures, particularly for self-employed and vulnerable groups. The President added that the monthly pension payment increased by 15% for contributors since the start of this year. [2024]
- Healthcare Initiatives: Government’s commitment to covering health insurance and addressing healthcare needs. This includes the promise to complete the famous La Hospital in 28 months. The President announced that, currently, all teaching, regional and district hospitals have been networked to allow access to patients’ records seamlessly without physical copy folders.
- Youth and Women Empowerment: Implementing programs like YouStart and gender-specific initiatives to support economic inclusion. Implementation of the youstart program which disbursed over 100 million Cedis to some Ghanaian youth beneficiaries. The youth agency has also commenced action to employ some thousands of persons with disabilities who previously worked at the now-closed toll booths.
- Renewable Energy Commitment: Progress towards increasing the share of renewable energy in the national grid by putting in place a 4MW floating solar panel at BUI and a 15MW solar at Kaleo. He also hinted that Ghana is developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes through its vision of achieving 30% of electricity production by 2070.
- Digital Transformation: Continued efforts in digitalizing public services to improve efficiency and access to information.
- Regional Trade Enhancement: Participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost intra-African trade and economic growth.
- Cultural and Historical Preservation: Investments in preserving Ghana’s cultural and historical heritage through museum and park renovations.
- Agricultural Sector Reforms: Implement targeted agricultural reforms to increase productivity and sustainability.
- Future Outlook and Governance: The President’s commitment to steering Ghana towards recovery, stability, and prosperity through strategic policies and governance.
- Advertisement -
