By Nelson Ayivor
President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted the crucial role of nationalism, collective resolve and unity of purpose in advancing the country’s development during his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) in Accra on Friday, February 27.
Reflecting on a recent diplomatic and cultural incident in Zambia, he emphasized how unified action and a shared national identity turned a potential embarrassment into an opportunity for international goodwill.
The President underscored that the same spirit of unity displayed in cultural pride must be harnessed for national development.
“Mr Speaker, as I conclude, during my recent trip to Zambia, we saw what a united Ghana can achieve on the global stage. A simple mislabelling of our culture could have reduced us to a punchline. Instead, we moved with speed and confidence We corrected the record. We turned what was supposed to be ridicule into reach.”
Lifted to lift
“We turned confusion into connection. We turned what could have been a negative social media trend into a handshake of friendship with our Zambian brothers and sisters. Mr. Speaker, for most people, that episode was just a fleeting social media frenzy. Yet, it served a greater purpose. It showed a nation that understands its brand equity. It showed citizens aligned around a common identity,” he said.
He reminded Ghanaians of their shared history of resisting colonial oppression and economic exploitation, stressing that the pursuit of progress requires a common commitment across all sectors of society.
He said while the presidency carries ultimate accountability, nation-building depends on the daily contributions of citizens—farmers, traders, teachers, nurses, artisans, entrepreneurs, public servants, and youth—whose collective effort turns policy into tangible results.
“Mr Speaker, our pursuit of national development today demands that same unity of purpose. We must reject misrepresentation and distortion that detract from our collective progress. We must guard our development as firmly as we guard our cultural identity.
We must act as one people with one purpose.”
President Mahama further noted that Ghana should not be judged solely by its challenges but by how its people respond to them.
Drawing on historical resilience and the African proverb, “however long the night is, the dawn will break,” he called for endurance, proactive engagement, and civic responsibility.
He emphasized that the Republic belongs to all Ghanaians, and sustainable progress depends on disciplined, patriotic action from every citizen.
“Mr Speaker, we are sometimes tempted to judge our nation only by our failures and our difficulties. But a country is not defined solely by its difficulties. It is defined by the choices its people make in response to those difficulties.”
“Our nation is on the brink of takeoff. And so ladies and gentlemen, passengers, fasten your seatbelts,” he added.
He concluded by asserting that Ghana is resilient, renewing, and poised for takeoff, urging all citizens to work together to build the nation’s future.