John Mahama, Bagbin and Afenyo-Markin
The 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President John Dramani Mahama sparked heated debates, political drama, and even a singing contest in Parliament.
The address, delivered on February 27, 2025, outlined the president’s “Resetting Ghana” agenda, but was met with criticism, particularly from the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, over issues of public sector dismissals and economic challenges.
Afenyo-Markin slams Mahama over public sector dismissals
Following the president’s speech, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the Mahama administration of widespread dismissals in the public sector.
He stated that numerous individuals who secured government jobs after the December 7, 2024, elections had their appointments revoked.
“Mr. Speaker, today the President has told us that 2.2 million Ghanaians are unemployed. But in less than 100 days, all we have witnessed is ‘sack them, sack them, sack them, dismissal upon dismissal,’” Afenyo-Markin lamented.
He further noted growing frustration among the youth, citing street sentiments that accused Mahama of inconsistency in tackling unemployment.
Speaker Bagbin asserts authority over Minority Leader
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin used his authority to step in to limit Afenyo-Markin’s criticism of the president after the (SoNA).
The Minority Leader, while seconding a motion for adjournment, continued to criticize the president’s economic policies, arguing that Mahama should focus on solutions rather than repeated lamentations over economic challenges.
“The president again came to this House with a familiar story, the usual lamentations. He packaged it in a language as though we have a new beginning. Mr. Speaker, if the president has any concerns, his duty is to fix them,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
As he raised concerns about employment, domestic bonds, and governance, Majority MPs chanted “Away! Away!” in an attempt to drown out his speech.
The Speaker then intervened, reminding Afenyo-Markin that he had only one more minute to conclude his remarks. Despite Afenyo-Markin’s insistence on finishing, Bagbin shifted attention to acknowledging distinguished guests, effectively ending the Minority Leader’s speech.
Parliament turns into a singing competition
The parliamentary session saw an impromptu singing contest between members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Following Mahama’s address, Majority MPs from the NDC, dressed in white, stood and sang their campaign song, Asempa n’aba (Good news has come), celebrating the speech.
In response, NPP MPs altered the lyrics to Odi dumsor na ba (He has brought dumsor), referencing the intermittent power outages.
The musical exchange lasted for several minutes before Speaker Bagbin intervened to restore order.
Mahama’s critique of Akufo-Addo’s economic legacy
President Mahama, in his address, did not hold back in criticizing the economic state left behind by the previous administration, led by Nana Akufo-Addo.
He described the economy as burdened with heavy debts and severe economic challenges, noting that Ghanaians were facing unprecedented hardship.
“I am sad to report that the state of our nation is not good. Our economy is in crisis, and our people are experiencing unprecedented hardship,” Mahama stated.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to job creation and economic stability through his proposed 24-hour economy policy. He also addressed issues such as the ongoing IMF bailout program, security, and the cost of living.
AM/KA
You can also watch Godfred Dame’s full speech on legal case withdrawals below: