Ahead of Ghana’s State of the Nation Address 2019, here are 5 critical issues citizens are expecting the president to address

Ahead of the president’s address, Ghanaians have laid out some critical issues happening in the country which is of great concern to them.

Here are some five critical issues citizens are expecting the president to address:

1. National security and vigilantism

The citizenry expects the president to disband all vigilante groups in the country.

They want the president to put in measures to take back all the guns and rifles these groups possess. Two MPs, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong (NPP) and Hon. Sam George (NDC), have openly said they don't trust the Ghana Police. This is a serious reflection of the general mistrust in the security system.

President Akufo Addo is expected to outline the steps he'll take to restore public trust in the security.

2. Employment

Recently, the government rolled out the Nation Builders Corps (NaBCo) to enhance the youth have employment. However, most of these NaBCo recruits have not received their allowance after several months of working.

Double-track teachers have not been paid. Most Nurses and Doctors are still home not posted. Trainee Teachers are doing their National Service, yet, they very confused about what the future holds for them.

The president is expected to clearly tell the nation the arrangements, in terms of employment and salaries of NABCO, Double track teachers, Nurses, Doctors and Trainee Teachers he has put in place.

3. The strength of the cedi against the dollar

Currently, the cedi is 5.20 equivalent to $1. This has increased the cost of living in the country.

Although the central bank of the country, Bank of Ghana (BoG) is doing its best to help strengthen the cedi, Ghanaians are still expecting the government work harder strengthen the cedi which will ease the high cost of living in the country.

4. Six new regions and the way forward

Recently, six new regions were created in the country, making the total number of sixteen. The president promised to give these regions $3.9 million (the equivalent of 20 million cedis) each. The citizens are therefore expecting the monies to be given to the regions to enhance development.

5. Menzgold and collapsed banks

Customers’ investments have been locked up in the Menzgold company. The CEO of the company, Nana Appiah Mensah is reported to be in Dubai. Customers are therefore pleading with the president to address the issue by way of helping arrest the CEO so that they (customers) can retrieve their money. The president is also expected to address issues of the collapse of the various banks in the country.