President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana is firmly on the path to recovery and renewal, citing economic stabilisation, restored international credibility, and renewed national confidence as key achievements of his first year in office.
In his New Year Message to the Nation on Thursday night, President Mahama said the promise he made to Ghanaians upon assuming office was “not mere rhetoric but a covenant,” assuring citizens that his administration has begun delivering on its Reset Agenda.
“At the dawn of the New Year, I stand before you to say our beloved nation, Ghana, is rising again,” the President stated.
One Year of Reset and Recovery
Reflecting on his first year in office, President Mahama said his government inherited a nation in deep distress, marked by high inflation, unemployment, weakened infrastructure, and eroded public trust.
“We were told that recovery would take a generation.
But I knew something our critics did not, I knew the resilient spirit of the Ghanaian people,” he said.
According to the President, inflation, which stood at over 23 percent at the end of 2024, has significantly declined, with government hopeful of ending 2025 with single-digit inflation just above five percent.
“We have achieved relative currency stability and are on track to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025,” President Mahama announced.
He also cited increased domestic and foreign direct investment, accelerated economic growth, and restored business confidence as evidence of Ghana’s economic turnaround.
Restoring Global Confidence
President Mahama highlighted the successful renegotiation of Ghana’s debt obligations and renewed confidence from international partners as major milestones.
“We have restored Ghana’s credibility with international partners and completed our debt negotiations on terms that protect our sovereignty while ensuring sustainability,” he said.
He added that Ghana is beginning the process of exiting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme “with dignity, not as supplicants, but as partners.”
Infrastructure and Youth Employment
Touching on infrastructure development, the President revealed that more than 2,000 kilometres of roads nationwide are currently undergoing rehabilitation, alongside expanded rural electrification to over 1,000 communities.
He noted that growth in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and services is creating new employment opportunities, especially for young people.
“Our young people are Ghana’s greatest resource,” he stressed.
Ghana’s Reset Agenda and Global Leadership
President Mahama said Ghana’s Reset Agenda has enhanced the country’s image globally, describing it as a new approach to governance both at home and abroad.
“This Reset Agenda is restoring faith in our democracy, delivering a leaner and more efficient administration, and strengthening accountability while intensifying the fight against corruption,” he said.
On the international front, the President referenced his address at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he launched the Accra Reset Initiative aimed at reforming global governance systems.
“This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” President Mahama declared, adding that Africa’s development challenges require “African solutions that are achievable realities, not slogans.”
Priorities for 2026
Looking ahead, President Mahama outlined key priorities for 2026, including the digitalisation of education, the rollout of Free Primary Health Care under Universal Health Coverage, agricultural transformation, renewable energy expansion, and social housing delivery through public-private partnerships.
He also pledged a renewed crackdown on corruption.
“There will be no sacred cows. Every cedi belongs to the people and must be accounted for,” he warned.
Call for National Unity
President Mahama concluded his address with a strong appeal for unity, stressing that Ghana’s Reset Agenda is inclusive and transcends political affiliations.
“There is no NDC Ghana, no NPP Ghana, no CPP Ghana. There is only one Ghana,” he said.
Calling on young people, entrepreneurs, civil society, traditional leaders, public servants, and the diaspora to play active roles in nation-building, the President urged Ghanaians to reject divisive politics.
“Let us disagree without being disagreeable and compete in the marketplace of ideas without treating our opponents as enemies,” he said.
President Mahama expressed optimism about Ghana’s future, describing the vision of a prosperous, just, and globally respected nation as achievable.
“This is not wishful thinking. This is the Ghana we are building together,” he concluded.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
