By Fuvi Kloku | Editorial Leader and Strategic Advisor
Caption:
From inflation to education, corruption to infrastructure, President Mahama lays out a blueprint of bold recovery and inclusive renewal.
In a press encounter that felt more like a national reckoning than a routine briefing, President John Dramani Mahama stood before the media yesterday not merely to speak, but to account. Eight months into his renewed mandate, the President delivered a sweeping address that fused economic stabilization with social justice, and accountability with ambition.
Inflation Tamed, Confidence Restored
The numbers speak with quiet thunder. Inflation has plummeted from a staggering 23.8% to 11.5%, the lowest since December 2021. The ripple effect is visible: over 4,500 consumer items have seen price cuts, and Ghana’s credit rating has been upgraded to B− (stable) by S&P. In a region often battered by fiscal turbulence, Ghana is scripting a rare story of macroeconomic redemption.
Education: No Child Left Behind, No Dream Deferred
The President reaffirmed his commitment to Free SHS with a record GHS 3.5 billion allocation. But he didn’t stop there. The “No Fee Stress” policy has refunded tuition for 120,000 first-year tertiary students, while persons with disabilities now access free tertiary education. A GHS 564.6 million textbook investment and the launch of a GHS 50 million National Research Fund signal a renaissance in foundational learning and intellectual capital.
Health: From Budget Lines to Lifelines
With a 13.4% increase in the health budget, now GHS 17.8 billion, and a 66% boost to NHIS funding, Ghana’s healthcare system is being fortified. Infrastructure investments exceeding GHS 2 billion are underway, with GHS 200 million already committed in 2025. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund has been launched to fill the vacuum left by a $156 million aid withdrawal, ensuring no Ghanaian is left behind.
The 24-Hour Economy: Ghana Never Sleeps
In a move that could redefine productivity, the President unveiled the 24-Hour Economy initiative. Cabinet has approved the 24-Hour Authority Bill, enabling round-the-clock operations at key institutions including the Ghana Publishing Company, Passport Office, and major ports. Legal reforms to the GIPC and Labour Acts are in motion, while a dedicated policing secretariat ensures security doesn’t sleep either.
Accountability: Loot Recovery and Legal Reckonings
Operation Recover the Loot has opened over 200 cases, with 80 interrogations and multiple prosecutions underway. High-profile cases, this includes the Sky Train case and others are progressing, while audits and dockets for institutions like the National Cathedral and Buffer Stock are in preparation. A new Code of Conduct and anti-corruption strategy are being drafted to institutionalize integrity.
Environment and Enforcement: Mining with Morals
The illegal mining crackdown has yielded 1,400 arrests, 440 excavator seizures, and the recovery of nine forest reserves. Over 2,000 Blue Water Guards will be deployed by year-end, and import tracking systems are being scaled to ensure transparency from port to pump.
Energy and Infrastructure: The Big Push Begins
A second gas processing plant (GPP2) has been approved, set to double capacity, save $500 million every two years, and create over 1,000 jobs. Power supply has stabilized, averting a return to “dumsor.” Meanwhile, GHS 14 billion in oil and gold revenue has been earmarked for the Big Push road program, with construction set to begin next week.
Decentralization: Power to the Districts
In a landmark reform, 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) is now transferred directly to MMDAs, amounting to GHS 6.1 billion so far. Every district is guaranteed a minimum of GHS 25 million, with Q1 disbursements already underway.
A President’s Promise, A Nation’s Test
President Mahama’s message was clear: “Transparency is not an event, it is a process.” But more than rhetoric, his administration is laying bricks of reform across sectors. The challenge now is not whether Ghana can rise,but whether its institutions, communities, and citizens will match the pace of its promise.
This was not just a press briefing. It was a declaration of intent. And if the numbers hold, it may well be remembered as the moment Ghana turned a corner,from recovery to renaissance.
