Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, former Finance Minister and current MP for Karaga, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s “fasten your seatbelts” remark during the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), arguing that the country’s economy is heading toward turbulence rather than take-off.
Speaking on Friday, February 27, shortly after the President’s address in Parliament, Dr Amin Adam said the comment suggested a looming downturn rather than economic progress.
“When the President said Ghanaians should fasten their seatbelts for take-off, I thought he had slipped; it sounded more like a warning for a possible crash because the economy is crashing,” he stated.
President Mahama, delivering his SONA under the theme “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope,” described Ghana’s economy as being “in take-off mode.” He urged citizens and stakeholders to brace for sustained growth, saying:
“Our nation is on the runway. It is in take-off mode, and you are all advised to fasten your seatbelts. The journey continues. But the direction is set. And the hope is real.”
The President highlighted what he described as measurable economic gains, noting that Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to reach $113 billion in 2025, up from $83 billion at the end of 2024. He attributed the growth to enhanced fiscal discipline and strategic reforms implemented by his administration.
However, Dr Amin Adam contended that the government’s optimism does not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He argued that rising economic pressures contradict the narrative of recovery and urged the administration to address mounting challenges rather than projecting premature confidence.