During his last address to the nation, Nana Akufo-Addo defended his economic record. An unexpected incident marked this symbolic speech.
On Friday, January 3, 2025, Nana Akufo-Addo, outgoing President of Ghana, delivered his final State of the Nation address to Parliament in Accra. A symbolic intervention to close eight years of presidency marked by economic challenges and bold initiatives. Yet the solemn moment was unexpectedly interrupted by the collapse of his aide-de-camp, casting a shadow over an already impassioned speech.
Defense of a controversial economic report
During his speech, Akufo-Addo did not hesitate to ardently defend his record, particularly in economic matters. Despite a period of unprecedented crisis, he defiantly asserted: “The country is not ruined.” This statement comes as Ghana continues to struggle with the repercussions of debt restructuring and inflation exceeding 20%.
The head of state also highlighted the progress made under his mandate, such as the establishment of free public secondary education and significant advances in energy infrastructure. Achievements that he considers to be solid foundations for a prosperous Ghana, despite criticism from the opposition.
An unexpected incident at the heart of the Assembly
The most striking moment of this speech, however, was not the content of the speech, but an unforeseen incident. In the middle of his intervention, the President’s aide-de-camp, an officer of the Ghana Armed Forces, suddenly collapsed, causing general concern.
A visibly concerned Akufo-Addo interrupted his speech to ensure his bodyguard received first aid. The officer was quickly evacuated to a medical facility, leaving room for the vice president’s aide-de-camp to maintain the symbolic function.
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Resilience in the face of challenges
Despite this disruptive event, Akufo-Addo resumed his speech with determination, highlighting the sacrifices made by Ghanaians to recover the economy. He notably cited the success of the three successive IMF reviews and the decline of $360 million, highlighting Ghana’s resilience in the face of global crises.
The President also acknowledged the challenges of combating illegal mining (galamsey), admitting that the issue had weakened his political party and complicated his second term.
A legacy between hopes and criticism
As he prepares to leave office on January 6, 2025, Nana Akufo-Addo leaves behind a mixed record. While some welcome his efforts to stabilize the economy and modernize infrastructure, others point to persistent difficulties, particularly in terms of debt management and the fight against corruption.
However, through his speech and his handling of the incident involving his aide-de-camp, Akufo-Addo demonstrated a calm and resilience that will go down in Ghana’s political history.
