The Member of Parliament for Manhyia North constituency in the Ashanti Region, Akwasi Konadu, has sharply criticised John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address, accusing the President of offering rhetoric instead of measurable results.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the address delivered in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the New Patriotic Party legislator said the speech failed to reflect the daily struggles of ordinary Ghanaians.
“I rise not only to comment, Mr Speaker, but to measure words against reality and promises against performance,” Mr. Konadu told the House.
According to him, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) made “solemn pledges” during the 2024 election campaign, particularly in the fight against illegal small-scale mining, but those promises have not been fulfilled.
Galamsey Still Rampant
The MP accused the government of failing to deliver on its pledge to wage an uncompromising war against Galamsey, arguing that Ghana’s rivers and forests continue to suffer serious destruction.
“Our rivers are choking to death,” he said, citing the deteriorating conditions of the Pra River and Offin River, which he said remain heavily polluted by illegal mining activities.
Mr. Konadu maintained that excavators continue to operate in forest reserves, often at night, while security task forces appear only intermittently and without sustained deterrence.
“You cannot declare a war from a car while illegal mining continues in the forests,” he remarked.
Allegations of Political Protection
The Manhyia North MP further alleged that political protection was undermining efforts to curb illegal mining.
He pointed to alleged internal disputes among officials of the National Democratic Congress in the Ashanti Region, claiming these disputes had exposed alleged involvement of some party figures in illegal mining operations.
Youth Still Waiting for Jobs
On youth unemployment, Mr. Konadu questioned the effectiveness of the government’s flagship 24-hour economy policy, popularly described as the “1-3-3” initiative.
“The youth are wandering between ambition and abandonment. They cannot wait any longer,” he said, urging young people who supported the NDC during the election to demand accountability for the promises made to them.
Economic Gains Yet to Reach the People
Although acknowledging improvements in some macroeconomic indicators, the MP argued that the benefits were yet to be felt by ordinary citizens.
“Yes, the cedi has appreciated, inflation has declined and the dollar has fallen. But what is air to a dead man?” he asked.
He said traders in markets such as Kejetia Market and Racecourse Market were still grappling with a high cost of living despite the improved economic statistics.
According to him, rising utility bills remain a major burden for many households.
“I used to pay about GH¢310 a month for electricity; today I pay around GH¢740,” he claimed.
‘Leadership Is About Performance’
Mr. Konadu concluded by warning that history would judge leaders harshly if they campaigned on sweeping promises but governed with excuses.
“Leadership is not poetic on the campaign grounds; leadership is about performance,” he said, urging President Mahama to focus on delivering tangible results.
“Economic recovery must be felt by the people, not only in the books of the managers of the economy,” he added.
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