President John Mahama’s first state of the nation address focused on Ghana’s economic issues, emphasizing the need for quick parliamentary action for deputy minister approvals, a reduced government size to cut costs, and the severity of the nation’s debt crisis. He outlined plans for a national economic dialogue and reassured Ghanaians of his commitment to restoring economic stability.
President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana delivered his first state of the nation address since taking office again in January 2025. After being re-elected following a previous loss, he addressed both Parliament and Ghanaians on February 27. His focus was on the significant economic challenges the country is currently facing, amid pressing issues of high debt and governance costs.
In his address, President Mahama urged Parliament to swiftly approve his nominees for deputy ministers to facilitate the immediate work needed from the new administration. He noted the unparalleled efficiency in Ministerial approvals and expressed confidence that a similar prompt process would be applied to deputy minister nominations.
The president emphasized his commitment to reducing government size to cut costs, reducing his cabinet to 60 ministers and reiterating plans to diminish the staff compared to past administrations. He described these reductions as measures to improve governance efficiency and address budget deficit concerns as Ghana continues to face economic troubles.
Mahama openly stated the current state of the nation is unsatisfactory, highlighting economic crises and rising hardships for the Ghanaian people. He announced a national economic dialogue scheduled for March to allow for a transparent discussion on the country’s economic status, insisting on his proactive approach towards solutions rather than assigning blame.
He reflected on his previous success in resolving power shortages and pledged to similarly address the ongoing economic crisis. Mahama pledged to reform the current economic challenges towards a path of growth and prosperity, seeking enthusiastic support from Parliament.
The president painted a concerning picture of national debts, asserting that mismanagement has led to reckless financial decisions. Underlining the impact of international monetary conditions, he shared alarming statistics about inflation rates and the depreciating value of the Ghanaian cedi against the dollar, which have contributed to infrastructural challenges due to debt constraints.
Mahama cited a total public debt of 721 billion cedis affecting the government’s ability to fund critical infrastructure and pledged to review the existing IMF support program as part of his approach to address and clear these obligations. He also mentioned ongoing discussions surrounding minimum wage adjustments to stimulate economic recovery.
President John Mahama’s address highlighted the pressing economic challenges facing Ghana and outlined his administration’s commitment to reducing government size, managing national debt, and enabling swift governance. By calling for prompt legislative action and establishing a national economic dialogue, he aims to navigate the country towards stabilization and prosperity amidst significant hardships.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
