President Mahama outlined his administration’s key focus areas during a dinner with Ghanaians in Ethiopia. Major tasks include constitutional amendments, accountability for officials, and economic stabilization amidst ongoing challenges. He discussed the country’s economic struggles, emphasizing the need for transparency and responsible leadership while highlighting Ghana’s recent successes in the African Union elections.
President John Dramani Mahama, speaking to Ghanaians in Ethiopia, outlined the key goals of his administration. These include amending the Constitution, ensuring accountability of past and present officials, and stabilizing the economy. His address took place during a dinner reception in Addis Ababa, coinciding with his participation in the 38th African Union Summit.
Mahama emphasized the need to reset Ghana’s governance and reiterated his commitment to accountability. He described the country’s current economic troubles, highlighting a crisis marked by fluctuating macroeconomic indicators and a serious debt situation, which required the previous administration to admit an inability to meet its obligations. “For the first time in recent memory, we had to tell the rest of the world that we can’t pay our debt,” – Mahama.
To tackle these challenges, Mahama announced plans to reinstate the Sinking Fund to avert future defaults. He acknowledged, however, that the government’s fiscal capability is severely limited, facing high citizen expectations amid scarce resources. The administration also grapples with unfinished projects inherited from the previous government, specifically over 80 hospitals needing over $1 billion to be completed.
On the topic of accountability, Mahama assured that his administration would investigate corrupt practices within the previous government, while also promising accountability for his appointments. He stressed the importance of leaders setting a good example, stating, “Those of us in leadership must lead by example, be prepared to be held accountable for taking the public trust.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa highlighted Ghana’s strong performance in recent African Union elections, obtaining three key positions. He credited the success to the continent’s trust in Ghanaians. Ablakwa emphasized the necessity for Ghana to enhance its involvement in international organizations.
The President of the Ghana Community in Ethiopia, Joseph Ofosu-Appiah Duah, congratulated Mahama on his re-election in the upcoming December 2024 elections, expressing optimism in his leadership and vision for national development. The community’s hope is for Ghana to remain a leader in democracy, stability, and progress on the African continent.
In summary, President Mahama outlined critical tasks for his administration aimed at amending the Constitution, ensuring accountability, and stabilizing the economy amidst ongoing challenges. He emphasized the importance of governmental transparency and accountability, while also addressing the economic concerns facing Ghana. Ghana’s international representation success and community support reflect a strong confidence in Mahama’s leadership.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
