Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s recent remarks during the 2026 State of the Nation Address, saying they send the wrong signal about the country’s economic situation. Agyemang argued that the president’s call for Ghanaians to “fasten your seatbelts” suggests more hardship ahead rather than real stability.
During the address, President Mahama described Ghana’s economy as being in “take-off mode,” urging citizens to prepare for progress and growth as government policy gains momentum. He said citizens should fasten their seatbelts because the journey toward prosperity will continue and that economic direction is finally set.
However, Dr Agyemang dismissed that portrayal, saying the metaphor was misleading and insensitive to everyday realities faced by ordinary Ghanaians. He claimed that many people still experience challenges such as unemployment, rising living costs, and limited economic opportunities, and that the “seatbelt” message did not reflect what Ghanaians are actually going through on a daily basis.
Agyemang urged the government to focus less on symbolic slogans and more on concrete policies that translate into visible economic improvements for citizens, especially in areas of job creation, cost of living relief, and expanded support for small businesses. He said citizens need clear evidence of progress, not vague assurances about future potential.
The call for a more grounded approach comes as national debate over the government’s economic performance has intensified, with some praising recent growth figures and others questioning whether the benefits are reaching the average Ghanaian household.
