By Stephen Asante
Accra, Jan. 4, GNA – Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the citizens for the trust and confidence they had placed in him throughout his eight years in office.
“As I prepare to leave office on January 07, 2025, I do so with immense gratitude. It has been the highest privilege of my life to serve as President of this great nation,” he noted in his final State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) to the Parliament, in Accra.
He said that he had served the nation with unwavering dedication, boundless energy, and a deep affection for the people, always believing that “our nation’s best days are yet to come.”
Reflecting on the collective achievements of his administration, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the significant progress in various sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, digitization, energy, governance, infrastructure, industry, and trade, stating that “”these achievements are not mine alone”.
“They also belong to every Ghanaian who has contributed to the collective effort of nation-building.”
The President emphasized that one of the major accomplishments of his administration was the establishment of six new regions—Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, Oti, North East, and Savannah.
“This historic achievement responded to decades of passionate advocacy by local communities for a governance structure that brings development closer to the people.
“Today, these regions stand as evidence of our commitment to equitable development, with enhanced access to public services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for millions of Ghanaians,” he noted.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the government had rolled out numerous initiatives aimed at empowering the youth, including reforms to the National Youth Authority and investments in sports infrastructure development.
“The construction of some one hundred and fifty astroturf pitches across the country, and the rehabilitation of existing stadia, have bolstered Ghana’s standing as a hub for international sports, including hosting successfully, despite all odds, the 2023 All-Africa Games,” he added.
On tourism, the President said that the Year of Return in 2019 and the Beyond the Return initiatives had successfully attracted over 1.5 million visitors.
These campaigns not only stimulated the economy but also fostered stronger connections with the African diaspora, positioning Ghana as a leading destination for cultural heritage and investment.
“One of the significant undertakings in this sector has been the renovation of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum.
“This celebrated site, dedicated to the memory of our first President, Kwame Nkrumah, has been transformed into a world-class facility that honours his legacy and attracts visitors from around the globe,”he noted.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the digitization of public services, such as the Ghana Card, mobile money interoperability, and e-services, had revolutionized service delivery and enhanced transparency across the country.
“These initiatives have positioned Ghana as a leader in digital transformation on the continent, with over eighteen million Ghanaians enrolled in the National Identification System.” he told the Parliament.
On the foreign front, the President said the Government had approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year.
“This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading block in the world. All these are essential elements to the realisation of the AU’s Agenda 2063, which envisages an integrated and connected Africa by 2063,” he added.
The country has also made significant strides in foreign policy, cementing its place as a respected voice on the African and global stages.
“It was during my tenure that Accra was unanimously chosen by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the AU to host the Secretariat of the AfCFTA, a crucial phase in Africa’s journey towards economic integration.
“We also secured Accra as host city of the Climate Vulnerable Forum Secretariat, a grouping of fifty-six (56) countries, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to leading the fight against climate change for vulnerable nations,” he stated.
Furthermore, Ghana secured a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for two years, allowing the country to contribute meaningfully to global peace and security at a time of unparalleled challenges.
“Indeed, it was Ghana that led the Security Council to adopt Security Council Resolution 2667, which provides for the UN to pay, from assessed contributions, seventy-five percent of expenses of UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, a matter that had been in controversy and unresolved for several years. “
The outgoing President further highlighted the successes chalked in the last eight years, especially in the health, educational, agricultural and security sectors, as well as protecting Ghana’s territorial integrity, peace and unity.
“I leave behind a Ghana that is thriving, one that has navigated significant global challenges with remarkable tenacity, whose economy is steadily rebounding, and whose institutions are operating effectively.
“It is a Ghana where the youth are being empowered with opportunities to channel their energies into meaningful and productive endeavours, where the arts are beginning to flourish, and where the elderly can grow old in safety and dignity and continue to make meaningful contributions to society.
“I leave behind a Ghana that is working,” he asserted.
GNA