President John Mahama is to be given a ‘surprise’ reception by Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) when he appears before Parliament today to carry out his yearly constitutional duty of delivering his State of the Nation address.
The Minority in Parliament was tight-lipped on the kind of ‘surprise’ reception for the president, but DAILY GUIDE could foresee a ‘gargantuan’ heckling by the minority members in view of the President’s numerous unfulfilled promises and current energy crisis that has adversely affected the country’s economy and led to the collapse of many companies.
In his last year’s State of the Nation address, President Mahama loudly trumpeted that he was going to do to transform the economy by vigorously pursuing made-in-Ghana agenda.
He demonstrated his resolve by openly showing his ‘made-in-Ghana’ shoes to parliamentarians.
Some of the minority members have stated that the President will come to parliament to give ‘empty’ promises.
“We don’t want to hear any kind of promises again because we are tired of these empty promises from the President and he should expect a surprise from us to really put him on his toes to deliver on his numerous promises,” the NPP MP for Effutu told DAILY GUIDE yesterday.
The MP for Asuogyaman, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw said he expects the President to address the power crisis and take immediate steps to bring some relief to Ghanaians.
“As a hotelier, I am buying GH¢1,000 worth of fuel every day to power the generator at my hotel and this is having serious effect on the company’s finances and I am even unable to meet my debt commitment,” he said.
He also noted that unemployment, which is a major problem in the country, has been worsened by the energy crisis, adding that the President must proffer a solution to reverse the trend since many of the country’s youth have become social misfits because of the high unemployment rate.
Hon Osei-Ameyaw also called on the President to tell parliament how he will deal with the endemic corruption in his government.
“Everything points to the fact that all is not well with the economy with hardship rapidly exacerbating,” he said.
Some members of the majority also have high expectations, as some of them said pressure was being mounted on them due to the worsening energy crisis.
Parliament has been given a facelift in readiness for the President, who is expected to deliver the State of the Nation address.
The walls of the Parliament building has been painted while the foyer has also undergone a facelift, with ‘tattered’ furniture completely replaced with new leather chairs.
