The stage is finally set for President George M. Weah to deliver his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) later today, January 30, 2023 to the Liberian people through the National Legislature, as they (Liberians) awaits their leader with hope and optimisms.
This annual address that Will be President Weah’s final address, is in fulfillment of the President’s constitutional duty and is delivered on every fourth working Monday in January of each year.
Additionally, the President’s annual message is in consonance with Article 58 of the 1986 Constitution which states, “The President shall, on the fourth working Monday, in January of each year, present the administration’s legislative program for the ensuing session.”
It adds, “And shall once a year report to the Legislature on the State of the Republic. In presenting the economic condition of the Republic then report shall cover expenditure as well as income.”
Hypothetically, January 30, 2023 is the fourth working Monday since the first working Monday as the New Year which was on Sunday was celebrated on what should have been the first working Monday of the year.
In Liberia, holidays that fall on weekends are observed on the Monday preceding the weekend; which necessitated the celebration of the New Year on the first working Monday of this year.
Nevertheless, many Liberians across the country anticipate that this year’s Sate of the Nation Address will focus on his achievements, proposed and unfinished projects as well as ensuing general and presidential elections in the country.
Although the Liberian leader message is coming at the time Liberians are gearing up to go to the poll in October of this year to elect new leaders of the country; many believe that the President’s message would squarely center on electoral process of the country.
Members in the opposition blog and critics of the president would also think that President Weah will use this year’s SONA as a platform to promote his image and campaign ahead of the election by propagating some of accomplishments by his administration over his five years in power.
Following his ascendancy to the country’s highest office in 2018, many Liberians were hopeful that this President would leave a positive image on the country by improving their living condition through the provision of jobs and addressing the bread and butter issues in the country.
From a layman perspective, we believe that the President and his team of writers, including researchers are contemplating on what to report to the country for the past year of his administration.
Even Liberians, themselves, maybe thinking what their leader would tell them, especially so, when this year they would be trooping to the polls to decide who their leaders for the next six years, including the president would be.
With the daunting declined of the economy, Liberians are also eager to hear from the President what policies that his administration are putting into place to address the bread and butter issues as well as the security of the country.
Other area of concern that Liberians are expecting their leader to talk about would be sanitation, Electricity, Education Health and transportation among others although his administration has also made some stride in the infrastructure through roads connectivity.
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