Ghana’s Youth Anticipate President Mahama’s Maiden State of the Nation Address with a Focus on Economic Revitalization and Environmental Protection
As President John Dramani Mahama prepares to deliver his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 27, 2025, the youth of Ghana, represented by students of the SD Dombo University of Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), express their expectations and concerns for the nation’s future. Their anxieties center around unemployment, the devastating effects of illegal mining (galamsey), the rising cost of living due to inflation, and the management of public debt. They yearn for concrete policy actions, clear timelines, and measurable indicators of progress, emphasizing a desire for action rather than mere pronouncements.
Ms. Ida Adiyone Alira, a political science student and Speaker of the UBIDS Youth Parliament, voices the urgent need for the implementation of the promised 24-hour economy. She sees this initiative as a vital tool for job creation and a means to alleviate the pervasive unemployment plaguing Ghanaian youth. Beyond mere promises, Ms. Alira calls for a detailed roadmap outlining the strategy, implementation plan, and anticipated impact of this economic policy. Furthermore, she expresses deep concern about the unchecked destruction caused by galamsey, urging the President to prioritize environmental protection by implementing effective measures to combat illegal mining and safeguard Ghana’s precious forest reserves.
Ms. Dorcas Biisome Duut, a development planning student, echoes the call for action-oriented policies. She emphasizes the importance of tackling inflation head-on, advocating for a clear timeline and concrete measures to bring spiraling prices under control and alleviate the financial burden on Ghanaian households. Ms. Duut also stresses the need for specific indicators, such as GDP growth and job creation figures, to measure the government’s economic performance and hold them accountable for delivering on their promises.
Beyond addressing immediate economic challenges, Ms. Duut emphasizes the importance of fiscal responsibility, urging the President to address the nation’s public debt and outline a sustainable plan for managing it. This call for transparency and accountability reflects a growing awareness among young Ghanaians about the long-term implications of fiscal policies and their desire for a stable and prosperous future. She highlights the need for regular updates on government policies to foster public trust and maintain a hopeful outlook for the future.
The students’ expectations underscore a shared desire for tangible progress and a commitment to building a brighter future for Ghana. They represent a generation yearning for opportunities, stability, and a government that prioritizes their needs and aspirations. The upcoming SONA serves as a critical platform for President Mahama to address these concerns, articulate his vision for the nation, and demonstrate a concrete commitment to action.
The youth’s focus on concrete action, timelines, and measurable indicators underscores a demand for accountability and transparency in governance. Their expectations reflect a desire for more than just rhetoric; they seek tangible solutions to the challenges they face daily. This anticipation surrounding the SONA highlights the significance of this address as an opportunity for the President to engage with the youth, inspire confidence, and set the tone for his administration’s commitment to addressing the nation’s most pressing concerns. The students’ voices represent a call for collaborative governance, where the government actively listens to the concerns of its citizens and works towards building a shared vision for a prosperous and sustainable future.
