The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has rejected a proposal by the Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, to include cocoa farmers among guests invited to President John Dramani Mahama’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).
President Mahama is expected to deliver the address before Parliament on February 27, in fulfilment of his constitutional obligation under Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
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Mr. Oppong Nkrumah had urged the House to consider extending invitations to cocoa farmers and other grassroots stakeholders, arguing that their presence would recognise the critical role they play in sustaining Ghana’s economy, particularly in the cocoa sector.
However, presiding over proceedings, Mr. Ahiafor ruled the proposal out, stressing that decisions regarding invitations to the State of the Nation Address are determined by established parliamentary arrangements and not by individual Members of Parliament.
The First Deputy Speaker maintained that the organisation of such a high-profile national event is guided by strict protocol, space limitations, and security considerations, adding that any changes to the structure must follow laid-down institutional processes.
He further indicated that Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, who no longer serves in an executive role, does not have the mandate to influence the guest list for the constitutional event.
The ruling has triggered debate within the House, with Majority members backing Mr. Ahiafor’s position as a necessary step to preserve parliamentary order and tradition, while some observers say broader participation could deepen national ownership of the address.
The State of the Nation Address is one of the President’s key engagements with Parliament, offering an update on the country’s socio-economic condition and outlining government’s policy direction for the year ahead.
Preparations are underway for the February 27 address, with Parliament expected to host invited dignitaries in line with long-standing practice.
