President Nana Akufo-Addo
President Nana Akufo-Addo is scheduled to deliver a message on the State of the Nation (SONA) today, February 27, 2024, in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution.
The Constitution requires the President to, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the State of the Nation.
First Deputy Majority Whip, Habib Iddrisu, presenting the report of the Business Committee on Friday, February 23, 2024, said some security measures had been instituted as a result and entreated his fellow MPs to take note.
According to him, as part of security measures, entry to the Speaker’s Lobby, the Clerks-at-the-Table Lobby, and the frontage of the two lobbies will be restricted to those who have received special invitation cards to the respective venues.
“Honourable Members are to display their parliamentary identification cards to facilitate the work of security personnel and ease of access to the Chamber,” he added.
Pursuant to the convention of the House, Mr. Iddrisu asked members to be prompt and arrive in the Chamber by 9:00 a.m., as it is improper for members to enter or exit the Chamber after the President has entered to deliver his message.
Accordingly, he called on MPs on the Majority side to use the exit at the Division Room area or the exit at the Minority side of the House during and after the SONA.
“Members on the Minority side should also use the same exits,” he noted and added, “Security barriers would be mounted in the area around the Speaker’s Lobby to limit access to the Lobby and its environs.”
The First Deputy Majority Whip again asked MPs to ensure that their protection officers [bodyguards] do not bring weapons to the chamber block and surrounding areas on the day.
“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members are further advised not to invite guests into the Chamber or its precincts,” he opined.
He said a motion to thank the President for the message on the State of the Nation would be moved on Thursday, February 29, 2024 to begin the debate on the message.
“In agreement with the practice of the House, the Business Committee recommends some time allotments for Honourable Members to make their contributions,” he asserted.
Explaining the time allotments, Mr. Iddrisu said both mover and seconder of the motion would get 25 minutes, whilst other members would get 10 minutes.
According to him, the leadership will wind up and each side has been allotted 30 minutes.
“The allotment of time is to ensure that as many Honourable Members as possible are given the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the message delivered by H. E. the President,” he intimated.
“The Committee would however urge Honourable Members to endeavour to be succinct in their contributions to the debate and also avoid repetitions.
“The debate on the message on the State of the Nation is proposed to be concluded on Thursday, March 7, 2024,” he declared.
Workshop
Meanwhile, Mr. Iddrisu, MP for Tolon, asked members to prepare for the orientation workshop on the new Standing Orders for the second batch of MPs and Parliamentary Service personnel, which was scheduled to begin on Friday, February 23, 2024, at the Rock City Hotel in Nkwatia, Eastern Region.
“Check-in starts from 2:00 p.m. and that Honourable Members and staff who are to participate in this weekend’s programme have received the necessary communication signed by the Clerk to Parliament to that effect,” he stated.
“Mr. Speaker, as Honourable Members may recall, the orientation for the first cohort on the revised Standing Orders was held last weekend,” he said.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House