John Dramani Mahama, upon his recent inauguration as the sixth president of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, outlined a comprehensive 120-day action plan encompassing 26 ambitious promises aimed at transforming the nation. This plan, a cornerstone of his successful election campaign, addresses critical issues ranging from economic revitalization and corruption eradication to unemployment reduction, gender equality, educational reform, and restoring public trust. The success of these initiatives will largely determine the public’s perception of his administration in its early days and set the tone for his term.
Mahama’s immediate economic priorities center on stabilizing the Ghanaian cedi, curbing inflation, and setting the nation on a path to economic recovery. Key strategies include the formation of a National Economic Recovery Task Force composed of industry experts to formulate actionable growth strategies. This will be followed by a national economic dialogue to assess the state of the economy and develop a homegrown fiscal consolidation program, culminating in a four-year consolidation plan. Further actions involve establishing an Accelerated Export Development Council (AEDC) to boost exports and reviewing the Customs Amendment Act 2020, specifically targeting the ban on salvaged vehicle imports to revitalize the local automotive industry.
Combating corruption is another central pillar of Mahama’s 120-day agenda. He intends to empower the Office of the Special Prosecutor by providing the necessary resources to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption cases. Reopening investigations into significant cases, including the 2020 election killings, the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election violence, and the murders of Ahmed Hussein Suale and Silas Wulochamey, is also planned. Furthermore, inquiries and forensic audits are proposed to investigate matters such as the collapse of indigenous Ghanaian banks, alleged illegal money printing, the National Cathedral scandal, and questionable single-sourced projects. Legislative action is envisioned to streamline government scholarship administration, preventing political appointees from accessing these funds and eliminating patronage in their allocation. A policy banning political appointees from acquiring state assets will further solidify the anti-corruption drive.
Addressing unemployment, particularly among the youth, is a significant concern. Mahama plans to initiate efforts within his first 90 days to tackle both high unemployment and the rising cost of living. Drafting legal amendments and preparing for the implementation of a 24-hour economy policy are prioritized under the Office of the President. His first budget will feature job creation programs such as the Adumawura Program, the National Apprenticeship Program, and the One Million Coders Program. Tax reforms are also planned, including the removal of VAT on e-levy, the COVID levy, the levy on bet winnings, and the emissions levy. Additionally, a review of taxes on essential goods like food and fuel is anticipated to alleviate the burden on citizens and stimulate consumer spending.
Promoting gender equality and inclusivity is another key area of focus. The establishment of a Gender Equity Council is proposed to enhance women’s participation in politics and decision-making. Concrete actions include the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools and the provision of seed money for a Women’s Development Bank.
Educational reform is also on the agenda, with a planned national consultative conference on education to foster consensus on necessary improvements. Mahama proposes implementing a “No Academic Fee Policy” for first-year students in all public tertiary institutions, including universities, colleges of education, and nursing training institutions. Further initiatives include introducing free tertiary education for persons with disabilities and establishing the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares.
Finally, Mahama aims to restore public trust and address the needs of those affected by recent disasters. He plans to investigate the VRA’s spillage of the Akosombo and Kpone Dams, which caused significant displacement and livelihood disruption in several regions. Initiating steps to compensate flood victims, including those in the Oti, Bono East, and Savanna regions, is also a priority. These actions, combined with the broader agenda, aim to rebuild confidence in the government and provide relief to those affected by hardship. The next four months will be a critical period for Mahama’s administration, providing an early indication of its capacity to deliver on these ambitious promises and shape the future trajectory of Ghana. Public scrutiny will be intense, and the success of these initiatives will depend on effective planning, inter-agency collaboration, and transparent communication with the Ghanaian people.
