Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Michael Kwesi Aidoo, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to confront the real economic conditions facing Ghanaians in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for Friday.
According to Aidoo, the daily struggles of citizens, ranging from rising utility bills to transportation difficulties and challenges in the cocoa sector, will ultimately determine how the public assesses the President’s performance.
“If you are being bitten by the harsh conditions of the economy, you will know. The conditions will speak for themselves,” he said in an interview in Parliament on Thursday.
Also read: SONA 2026: Suhuyini urges Mahama to be frank and humble
Aidoo raised concerns about the current state of the cocoa industry, describing it as one of the most pressing issues the President must address.
He noted that delays and pricing challenges linked to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have affected both farmers and Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs).
“A lot of farmers are going through serious troubles because of the current position of COCOBOD,” he stated.
He added that several LBCs are operating at a loss after purchasing cocoa beans that remain unabsorbed by authorities.
Touching on rising utility costs, Aidoo said electricity bills have become a major source of frustration for households.
He referred to widespread complaints about prepaid meters and billing systems under the Electricity Company of Ghana.
“People are complaining about meters running at very high speed. Credit is depleted too fast,” he observed.
Aidoo warned that continued tariff increases could worsen living conditions.
The MP also cited recent protests as evidence of public dissatisfaction.He pointed to demonstrations by traders at Makola Market, where women protested against high rents and operational costs.
“Makola women are on the streets protesting. The verdict is out there for everybody to see,” he remarked.
According to him, such protests show that economic pressure is mounting on small-scale traders and informal workers.
Aidoo further highlighted transportation difficulties as another indicator of economic strain.
He explained that many commuters spend long hours waiting for buses late into the night.
“When you queue until 10 p.m. or 12 a.m. before getting a vehicle home, you will know how hard life has become,” he said.
He argued that these realities contradict claims of economic comfort among the population.
Aidoo stressed that President Mahama’s address must go beyond statistics and policy promises to reflect the lived experiences of citizens.
“It’s not about what we say. People know what is good for them. They live it every day,” he stated.
He expressed hope that the President would use the SONA to announce practical solutions for farmers, traders, workers, and small businesses.
“We are expecting solutions that will put people in a better position,” he added.
As anticipation builds for the State of the Nation Address, many Ghanaians are looking forward to clear policy direction on the economy, utilities, agriculture, and transport.
Aidoo believes that only tangible improvements will restore confidence. “The conditions will determine everything. That is what people will judge,” he stressed.
