President John Dramani Mahama is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament today, offering Ghanaians the first comprehensive update on his administration’s progress since implementing its flagship economic reset agenda.
The address, which fulfills the constitutional mandate outlined in Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, will take place in a formal session of Parliament starting at 10:00 AM. It marks the second SONA of his current term and comes exactly one year after he first outlined the challenges inherited by his government.
While the 2025 address focused on diagnosing the nation’s economic ailments—including high inflation and unsustainable debt—this year’s message is highly anticipated as a progress report on the recovery efforts implemented over the past twelve months.
A Stabilised Economy, But Living Costs Remain High
The President will address a nation that has seen significant macroeconomic shifts over the last year. Official data indicates that inflation has dropped sharply to 5.4 percent as of December 2025, a dramatic fall from the 23.8 percent recorded in December 2024.
In a historic turn, the Ghana Cedi recorded its first annual appreciation against the US dollar in over three decades, providing the Bank of Ghana the leverage to slash the Monetary Policy Rate by 1,000 basis points.
However, despite these positive macroeconomic indicators, the cost of living remains a daily struggle for many. The President is expected to acknowledge this disconnect between national statistics and household realities, outlining further measures to ensure that economic stability translates into tangible relief for citizens.
Policy Promises Under Scrutiny
Ahead of the address, policy think tank IMANI Africa has urged the President to move beyond highlighting achievements and provide concrete timelines on specific commitments made in 2025.
Among the key promises stakeholders are watching closely is the flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy. Citizens expect a clear update on its implementation and the operations of the newly established authority overseeing it.
In the energy sector, attention will be on the roadmap for clearing the legacy debt, the status of a unified collection account to curb system losses, and progress on the renewable energy transition fund.
For agriculture, Ghanaians are eager for results on the ambitious “Nkoko Nketenkete” programme, which aims to eliminate the $300 million annual poultry import bill, and the rollout of the “AgriNext” initiative designed to provide land access for 30,000 youth.
In education and health, expectations include updates on integrating ICT into early childhood classrooms, introducing a sign language curriculum, and innovative financing models to complete the stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects. The status of the proposed “MahamaCares” health fund is also a point of interest.
The Fight Against Corruption and Local Concerns
The President is also expected to address anti-corruption efforts, specifically the status of investigations by the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) taskforce into high-profile financial malpractices, including the National Service Scheme (NSS) scandal.
Beyond Accra, ordinary citizens are looking for answers on local issues. In the Keta Municipality, market women are appealing for policies to stabilise prices, while transport operators are calling for measures to reduce the cost of fuel and spare parts. Residents are also keen to hear updates on specific local projects, including the Keta harbour development and sea defence projects along the Volta estuary. The reliability of electricity supply, with calls to end unannounced power outages, remains a national concern.
Parliamentary Arrangements Finalised
Parliament has completed all preparations for the event. According to Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, Members of Parliament are expected to be seated by 9:15 AM. Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin will preside over the joint session, which will be attended by government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.
The address will be broadcast live, with strict media guidelines issued to ensure orderly coverage. As the nation listens, the overriding expectation is that the President will not only report on the past year’s gains but will lay out a clear and accountable path forward for the year ahead.
