Parliament has addressed what it describes as various misconceptions and misrepresentations circulating in the media after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
President Akufo-Addo delivered his penultimate State of the Nation Address to Parliament, fulfilling a constitutional mandate under Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
The address, attended by a host of dignitaries including the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and former President John Dramani Mahama, was nearly marred by a planned boycott by Members of the House.
However, the boycott was averted, ensuring the address proceeded as planned.
A statement released by the Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, Esq., indicated that despite the successful conduct of the address, subsequent media reports have stirred controversy, particularly concerning remarks about the Chief of Staff, Hon. Frema Osei Opare.
According to him, reports erroneously attributed comments to the Speaker of the House, suggesting an endorsement of the Chief of Staff as a ‘beacon of hope’ for Ghanaians.
The statement clarified that these attributions were misrepresentations, emphasizing that the Speaker’s introduction of the Chief of Staff was not meant as a political endorsement.
“While the competence of the Chief of Staff is not in doubt, these were not made by the Speaker. It is important to note that her introduction by the Speaker as part of acknowledgement of her presence was not for any political endorsement, as some publications in the media have attempted to do,” the statement added.
Mr. Damoah also refuted allegations made by the Daily Guide in an editorial, which criticized the Speaker for supposedly showing political bias and blamed him for the absence of Minority members at the start of the session.
He indicated that the Speaker and the President’s entrance was met with nearly all Members and Ministers in the Chamber, but stressed that walkouts and boycotts are recognized parliamentary tactics worldwide.
“These are resolved through dialogues and this is exactly what played out on that Tuesday, during the occasion. It must also be noted that this was not the first time that Members used such a momentous occasion to press home grievances.”
“To make capital, impugn political motives and to place the blame on the doorstep of the Speaker is a desperate attempt to impugn the sterling record of the leadership of Parliament,” he said.
He redirected public attention to the contents of the President’s message and urged Ghanaians to engage with the substance of the address rather than the surrounding controversy.
Mr. Damoah called for a more discerning consumption of media reports related to its proceedings and the functions it serves within the governance framework of the country to foster better understanding.