(VIDEO) Parliament Concludes Debate on President’s SONA
Minority criticises SONA for ignoring farmers’ welfare and claiming credit for previous government initiatives.
- Debate concludes on President Mahama’s SONA.
- Minority says “Gold for Reserve” program credit wrongly claimed by NDC.
- Farmers’ payments reduced, affecting cocoa, rice, and yam producers.
The leadership of both the majority and minority today concluded deliberations on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President John Dramani Mahama.
Opening the debate, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin criticised the President, saying the address failed to address the pressing issues affecting ordinary Ghanaians and instead focused on political self-praise.
He accused the NDC administration of taking credit for the “Gold for Reserve” program, arguing that it was originally introduced and implemented by former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia under the previous NPP government.
The minority leader also expressed concern over the government’s handling of farmer payments.
He said the NDC had promised cocoa farmers GH₵6,000 per bag but had instead reduced payments from GH₵3,600 to GH₵2,500, worsening the economic situation for farmers. He added that the decision adversely affects not only cocoa farmers but also rice and yam producers, deepening hardship in the agricultural sector.
From Martin Kwabena Awhireng
