President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to deliver the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of Parliament today, Friday, February 27, 2026, fulfilling his constitutional duty under Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
The address will provide a comprehensive overview of the nation’s current state, detailing progress achieved across critical sectors since the government assumed office, while outlining key priorities, policy directions, and legislative agenda for the year ahead.
While the full content remains confidential until delivery, the speech is widely anticipated to cover:
- Economy — Updates on macroeconomic stability, inflation trends, cedi performance, reserve accumulation (including the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy – GANRAP), debt management, and growth projections.
- Health — Progress on infrastructure, emergency care reforms (amid recent “No Bed Syndrome” concerns), nurse retention, and access to quality healthcare.
- Education — Free Senior High School programme enhancements, teacher welfare, examination performance, infrastructure gaps, and efforts to curb school dropouts linked to galamsey.
- Agriculture & Cocoa — Producer price adjustments, COCOBOD reforms, payment arrears, youth involvement, and measures to protect farms from illegal mining.
- Infrastructure — Road networks, energy stability (including recent prepaid meter and power supply concerns), water access, and major projects like the Shama float glass factory.
- Foreign Affairs & Security — Updates on maritime boundary arbitration with Togo, engagements with Ukraine (including Ghanaian POWs), regional stability, and counter-trafficking efforts.
- Youth & Employment — Initiatives to address unemployment, skills training, sports development, and creative industry support.
- Governance & Anti-Corruption — Public sector reforms, accountability measures, and anti-galamsey enforcement.
Parliamentary Preparations
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has directed all Members of Parliament to be seated by 8:30 a.m., with no late entries permitted. The House is expected to observe strict protocol, with proceedings broadcast live across major television and radio networks.
Opposition Expectations
The Minority Caucus, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the President to present concrete, actionable solutions to pressing youth concerns — particularly unemployment, economic hardship, and access to opportunities — rather than broad overviews.
The SONA is widely seen as a pivotal moment to set the legislative tone for 2026, outline the government’s roadmap amid ongoing recovery efforts, and respond to public expectations on jobs, cost of living, infrastructure, and national unity.
Parliamentary business, including debates and responses from both sides of the House, will follow the address in the coming days. The nation will be watching closely for clarity on policy priorities, timelines, and commitments in what is expected to be a defining address for the year ahead.
