President John Dramani Mahama has strongly condemned the abuse of journalists by security personnel and called for renewed national unity as he delivered an emotional and reflective conclusion to his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament.
In his final remarks, the President, who identified himself as a member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), expressed deep concern about the treatment of media practitioners.
“As a member of the Ghana Journalists Association, I have been deeply concerned about the abuses suffered by journalists at the hands of some of our errant security personnel,” he said.
He disclosed that he has directed the leadership of the security agencies to take firm action and reorient their officers on the role of journalists in democracy.
“I have asked the leadership of the security agencies to take firm action and to reorient their men and women on the need to be accommodating to journalists who are only doing their job of keeping citizens informed,” President Mahama stated.
Revitalisation Plan for State-Owned Media
The President also raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of state-owned media houses, citing years of underfunding and declining infrastructure.
“I have also been concerned about the state of our state-owned media, most of which have suffered from historical underfunding and grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and facilities,” he noted.
He revealed that he recently toured several state media institutions to assess their challenges firsthand and announced that government is developing a revitalisation plan to restore their operations.
“We are currently putting together a revitalization plan to leverage their valuable assets and re-inject life into their operations,” he said.
President Mahama further indicated that the reintroduction of the Media Development Fund is being reconsidered as part of efforts to support the Ghanaian media landscape.
Zambia Episode and National Brand
Reflecting on a recent trip to Zambia, the President referenced what he described as a cultural mislabeling incident that could have embarrassed Ghana on the global stage, recounting that “A simple mislabeling of our culture could have reduced us to a punchline. Instead, we moved with speed and confidence. We corrected the record”.
According to him, what began as a potential social media controversy evolved into a moment of diplomatic connection.
“We turned what was supposed to be ridicule into reach. We turned confusion into connection,” he said, adding that the episode demonstrated Ghana’s strong sense of identity and unity.
However, he cautioned that while Ghanaians often unite around cultural pride, political disagreements frequently divide the nation.
“Unity in moments of cultural pride has proved easier than unity in moments of political disagreement,” he observed. “If we can mobilize that same collective resolve for our development agenda, we will see real progress.”
‘The Buck Stops With Me’
In a solemn declaration of leadership accountability, President Mahama affirmed that ultimate responsibility for the nation rests with him.
“There is a simple maxim we are all very familiar with… the buck stops with the president,” he said. “Every day I hold office of president, I live by that statement… the ultimate responsibility for the direction of this nation rests with the office that I hold. And I will never shirk that duty.”
At the same time, he stressed that nation-building requires collective effort from citizens across all sectors.
“While the buck may stop with me, the work of nation building goes beyond that through the labor, enterprise and civic spirit of millions of Ghanaians,” he emphasized.
He urged citizens to match government policy with civic responsibility, emphasizing that “No policy can substitute for civic duty. No program can replace the quiet discipline with which millions of Ghanaians sustain their families, serve their communities and carry this republic forward each day.”
‘The Dawn Is Breaking for Ghana’
Acknowledging past economic and political challenges, the President invoked an African proverb to inspire hope.
“However long the night is, the dawn will break,” he said. “The dawn is breaking for Ghana.”
He described the current moment as one that demands endurance and action, urging citizens to focus on renewal rather than division.
“The Republic is larger than any one political party, any office, any individual,” he stated. “This Republic belongs equally to the farmer, the trader, the teacher, the nurse, the artisan, the entrepreneur, the parliamentarian and the young citizen.”
In a dramatic closing, President Mahama declared that Ghana is on the cusp of transformation noting, “The state of our nation is resilient, the state of our nation is renewing, and our nation is firmly in the hands of its people. Our nation is on the brink of takeoff… passengers, fasten your seatbelts.”
He concluded by thanking Parliament and the Ghanaian people for their attention and support.
The President’s closing remarks struck a tone of accountability, unity and optimism, framing Ghana’s future as one shaped not only by leadership but by the collective resolve of its people.
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