President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed confidence that he is leaving behind a united, safe, and thriving Ghana, firmly grounded in democratic principles, as he prepares to hand over to the incoming administration.
However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Critics, including some Ghanaians and figures within his own New Patriotic Party (NPP), have labelled the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government as one of the worst in Ghana’s history.
The 2020 elections, marred by violence that resulted in casualties and injuries, are often cited as a dark chapter in the government’s record.
Moreover, the NPP’s heavy defeat in the 2024 elections has been described by some as a punishment from Ghanaians for the party’s perceived poor performance in office.
In his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 3, 2025, President Akufo-Addo addressed these concerns by focusing on the positive aspects of his government’s legacy.
He highlighted Ghana’s safety, security, unity, and commitment to democratic principles as key achievements of his administration.
The President also emphasised the country’s resilience in the face of global challenges, its steadily rebounding economy, and the effectiveness of its institutions.
Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana’s youth are being empowered, the arts are flourishing, and the elderly can live in safety and dignity.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, I am happy to hand over a Ghana that is safe, secure, united and firmly rooted in her attachment to democratic principles and respect for the rule of law—a nation that continues to shine as a beacon of peace and stability in an often-troubled Africa and an uncertain world. 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.”
