The Message on the State of the Nation delivered by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on January 3, 2025, spans numerous sectors. Below is a breakdown of the address by sector:
Education
Free SHS and TVET: 5.7 million students benefitted since its implementation. Established 34 new TVET institutions and upgraded 62 others.
STEM Focus: Built 20 STEM centers and 10 model STEM senior high schools; constructed 186 new science labs; commissioned the Accra STEM Academy.
Performance Improvements: WASSCE results improved significantly from 2016 to 2024 in core subjects.
Infrastructure Development: 80 new educational facilities commissioned; schools now equipped with science labs and digital learning tools.
Health
Agenda 111: Progress on 99 district hospitals and 2 psychiatric hospitals, with 3 commissioned.
National Ambulance Service: Increased ambulances from 55 to over 300.
Health Insurance: Subscribers increased from 10.6 million in 2016 to 17.9 million in 2023, covering more conditions.
COVID-19: Established a vaccine manufacturing facility and managed the pandemic effectively.nti-Terrorism: Maintained national security amidst regional instability, avoiding terrorist violence.
Infrastructure and Recruitment: Built forward operating bases, modernized barracks, and recruited over 10,000 police officers.
Economy
IMF Programme: Achieved economic recovery through the Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth.
Debt Management: Reduced debt-to-GDP ratio to 74.6% in October 2024, aiming for 55%.
Growth Rates: GDP growth rebounded, with a projected 6.3% in 2024.
Banking Sector: Clean-up stabilized the sector, safeguarding depositor funds.
Women Empowerment
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey elected as Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Increased women’s participation in education and governance initiatives.
Infrastructure Development
Roads and Interchanges: 12,000 km of roads constructed; multiple interchanges completed, including Pokuase and Tamale.
Aviation: Expanded airports in Tamale, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Ho.
Railways: Key projects like the Western Line and Tema-Mpakadan line completed.
Housing: Delivered 1,072 affordable homes and launched housing initiatives for public servants.
Agriculture and Food security
Production Increases: Maize production rose by 110%, rice by 48%, and soybeans by 150%.
Cocoa Sector: Increased productivity to 800kg per hectare; implemented the Living Income Differential policy.
Fisheries: Built landing sites, cold storage, and harbors to support fisherfolk.
Energy Sector
Electricity Access: Increased to 88.85% from 79.3%.
Renewable Energy: Completed solar projects, with significant progress in achieving the 10% renewable energy target by 2030.
Sector Stability: Managed energy sector legacy debt effectively, avoiding escalation.
Tourism and Culture
Initiatives: Year of Return and Beyond the Return attracted 1.5 million visitors.
Renovations: Transformed Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and launched Nationalism and Heroes Parks.
Digitalization
Technology Advancements: Launched the Ghana Card, mobile money interoperability, and expanded broadband access.
Governance and Reforms
Constitutional Review: Submitted recommendations for consideration.
Corruption Fight: Established the Office of the Special Prosecutor and passed key anti-corruption laws.
This comprehensive report highlights President Akufo-Addo’s efforts across various sectors during his tenure. Let me know if you need further elaboration on any specific area.
Rule of Law
Increased investment in judicial infrastructure, including the construction of courts and digitization of judicial processes, enhanced the judiciary’s capacity and accessibility.
The passage of the Right to Information Act (2019) and other legal reforms modernized the legal framework to address contemporary issues.
Efforts to improve prison conditions and reduce overcrowding reflected a commitment to justice for vulnerable populations.
Policies addressing police misconduct and protecting press freedoms were highlighted.
