Akufo-Addo to Present Final State of the Nation Address on January 3 Before 8th Parliament Dissolution

President Nana Akufo-Addo is scheduled to deliver his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM. This address, as stipulated by Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, will be the last message he delivers regarding the state of the country before the dissolution of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic. The dissolution will take place on Monday, January 6, 2025, marking the end of the current parliamentary session and paving the way for the beginning of the new Parliament.
The Parliamentary Service issued a statement on Monday, December 30, confirming the date and time of the State of the Nation Address. The statement also highlighted the subsequent events that will take place after the dissolution of the 8th Parliament. Specifically, the 9th Parliament is scheduled to convene later that evening at 11:00 PM to elect a Speaker and two Deputy Speakers. This will be followed by the swearing-in of the Speaker-elect and Members-elect at midnight, formally inaugurating the 9th Parliament and beginning the new legislative term.
As this transition period nears, Parliament has put in place several arrangements to ensure that media coverage of these significant proceedings runs smoothly. Media personnel who intend to cover the events are required to obtain accreditation from Parliament in advance and must ensure that their accreditation tags are clearly displayed while in the Parliamentary precincts. The statement also detailed the arrangements for interviews and live broadcasts, noting that these will take place in the foyer on the ground floor of the Chamber Block, with space allocated to media outlets on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
Furthermore, media houses planning live broadcasts are advised to set up their equipment by the evening of January 2, 2025, in preparation for the State of the Nation Address. For the inauguration of the 9th Parliament, equipment setup should be completed by the evening of January 5, 2025. In line with standard security procedures, all personnel and media equipment will undergo screening before being allowed entry into the Parliamentary area. Electronic media personnel will be given access to clean feeds directly provided by Parliament, ensuring they can broadcast the proceedings with minimal disruption.
The statement also noted that the public gallery in Parliament will be reserved exclusively for invited guests. As such, media activities within this space will be restricted, and journalists will not have direct access to this area. Parliament has urged media personnel to comply with the outlined guidelines to ensure the smooth execution of the upcoming events.
Parliament expressed its gratitude to the media for their ongoing collaboration and support. The statement emphasized the importance of working together to promote transparency and accountability during the legislative process. The successful execution of these significant parliamentary events relies on the media’s role in accurately covering the proceedings and informing the public about developments in the nation’s governance.
This moment of transition in Ghana’s parliamentary system is crucial for both the outgoing and incoming Members of Parliament, as it sets the stage for a new legislative session. With the media playing an essential role in documenting and disseminating information to the public, Parliament continues to encourage media outlets to adhere to the established procedures, ensuring that these events are covered thoroughly and with professionalism.