Fulfilling promises in SONA will ensure enduring development
Yesterday, President John Dramani Mahama fulfilled the demand of Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the President to address the people on the state of the nation.
The State of the Nation Address (SONA), among other features, was one reminding politicians of the strides they can make when they come together in their dedication to serve the people; setting the records straight on public projects and dispelling certain rumours; and affirming or reiterating certain things.
The truth is that at the top of all the issues raised in the SONA is the fiscal strength of the country, the actual state of the economy.
President Mahama says after his government’s initial assessment of the books, it has discovered that the country’s economic problems are much deeper than are publicly known.
He says his administration has come to inherit a country that is broken on many fronts, and that the profundities of the challenges are staggering.
However, he said a National Economic Dialogue on March 3 and 4 and the budget estimates for the financial year to be presented on March 11 would help to give the public an idea of the true measure of the crisis.
These remarks are similar to those previously made by presidents taking over from predecessors in the country, yet they do not abandon ship.
Are they just political gimmicks against predecessors or the honest truth?
If it is the honest truth, then we have to get to the bottom of the problems.
Are the challenges the results of unavoidable natural causes, mismanagement or corrupt practices of public officials, including politicians?
Even before a research can be conducted into the matter, it can be concluded that, to a large extent, the corruption of public officials resulting in the country’s economic woes cannot be denied.
Despite the echoing of the country’s economy being in the straits and the people smarting under untold hardships, with many businesses losing the foot to stand on, politicians and other public officials continue to flourish on every side.
How are they able to exclusively achieve success?
Over the years, particularly in the country’s Fourth Republic, there have been accusations and counter-accusations of corruption among politicians, yet there haven’t been any serious investigation into and prosecution of such cases.
Once this situation continues unchecked, the country’s economy would continue to suffer and the remarks regarding its poor state would cease not to be needlessly made.
It is, however, reassuring that President Mahama says it is not his style to lament and shift blame when confronted with challenges, as his approach is to accept challenges and work hard to resolve them.
The Ghanaian Times wishes to reiterate that it must not be lost on President Mahama that most of the problems of the country are the results of certain actions and inaction of public officials and that the poor attitudes and corrupt practices characterising public service need urgent fixing.
It is good the President has affirmed some promises like not going to abolish the Free Senior High School initiative but rather going to better it, thereby dispelling rumours of its imminent cancellation.
The SONA is detailed as it touches critical areas of the economy.
It is time for all Ghanaians to support the Mahama government to succeed as its success would inure to the benefit of the whole country.