President Nana Akufo-Addo will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:00 am, in line with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
This address will be his final message on the State of the Nation before the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic is dissolved on Monday, January 6, 2025.
This was conveyed in a statement issued by the Parliamentary Service on Monday, December 30.
Following the dissolution, the 9th Parliament will convene later that evening at 11:00 pm to elect a Speaker and two Deputy Speakers.
The statement said that the Speaker-elect and Members-elect will be sworn in at midnight, formally marking the beginning of the new Parliament.
As the transition approaches, Parliament has outlined measures to ensure smooth media coverage of these significant events.
It said media personnel covering the events must obtain accreditation from Parliament and prominently display their accreditation tags.
The statement further said that all interviews and live broadcasts will be conducted in the foyer on the ground floor of the Chamber Block, with space allocated on a “first-come, first-served basis.”
Parliament has also requested media houses planning live broadcasts to set up their equipment by the evening of January 2 for the State of the Nation Address and by January 5 for the inauguration of the 9th Parliament.
It noted that security protocols will be strictly enforced, with all personnel and equipment undergoing screening. Additionally, electronic media personnel will have access to clean feeds provided by Parliament.
The public gallery will remain reserved for invited guests, and media activities in that space will be restricted. Parliament has urged all media personnel to adhere to these guidelines to ensure the success of the proceedings.
Parliament expressed gratitude to the media for their ongoing partnership and emphasised the importance of collaboration in promoting transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
