There was a warm atmosphere filled with laughter among the Members of Parliament and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the floor of Parliament when the President delivered his final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

This happened when Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the NDC Minority caucus's Member of Parliament for Ellembele, took the platform to speak to President Akufo-Addo and share his thoughts on the SONA address.

Responding to the SONA, Kofi Buah, who is also the Deputy Minority Leader, pointed out that Akufo-Addo's final speech omitted and failed to capture his promise to build a National Cathedral to God.

This remark sparked laughter and loud cheers from the house, with President Akufo-Addo visibly giving a wry smile in response to Kofi Buah’s swipe.

“The first president who was cushioned by the IMF when you began and you are still being cushioned at the end of your term. Mr. President, you left something very important in your account which is an account of your promise to God to build him a cathedral but I will leave that to you because it is between you and your God,” he jokingly said.

Kofi Buah went on to assure Ghanaians that the new NDC administration would be a ray of light for the populace while adding that they would be sharply reminded of how the country should not have been governed during Akufo-Addo's reign, which has seen poor governance.

“Let me remind Mr. President that his tenure in office will remain a timely reminder of how not to govern the country. Let me also be quick to assure the good people of Ghana that hope is on its way in President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC.

“We can once again gain a brighter future from the trolls of despair. Together we will work hard to lift ourselves from this historic low and reclaim our glory and place as the black star of Africa,” he stated.

Kofi-Buah wrapped up his pointed remarks to Akufo-Addo by quoting a Bible passage that drew a parallel between the Israelites' liberation from the Egyptians and the situation of Akufo-Addo's government and Ghanaians.

“Fellow Ghanaians, we are comforted and strengthened by the following words of scripture Exodus 14:13 and I quote ‘And Moses said unto the people, fear you not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show you today. For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them no more’. Bye bye Mr. President, it is finished.”

President Akufo-Addo delivered his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Friday, January 3, 2024.

As mandated by Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, the address allows the outgoing President to report on the country’s status before leaving office.

This event also marked the final session of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic, which is set to be dissolved on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Watch Emmanuel Kofi Buah's remarks in the videos below:



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