Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has announced March 8, as the new date for the State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) by President Akufo-Addo.

The change in date, the Speaker of Parliament said, is because the initial February 28, is unfavourable.

“The day of the SONA, initially the Business Committee announced 28th February 2023, after that I, in particular, saw that the 28th February was not a suitable day,

“So, I personally got in touch through the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu with H.E the President, and after an extensive discussion, it was shifted to 8th March. It was for a good reason that his Excellency, the President finally agreed to the 8th March. We both had to agree to sacrifice some other things,” he said on the floor of Parliament.

 The President, Akufo-Addo, is therefore expected to deliver the address in Parliament on March 8, 2023.

In accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, the President shall 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.

The address is expected to among others, highlight government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead as well as the achievements of the government and challenges faced.

The last SONA was on March 30, 2022.