Ghana’s State of the Nation: A Call for Reset and Renewal
President John Dramani Mahama delivered a sobering message on the state of Ghana, characterizing the nation’s economic situation as a crisis demanding immediate and comprehensive action. He highlighted the unprecedented hardships faced by Ghanaians, emphasizing the mandate given to him by the people to steer the country off its current precarious path. The President acknowledged the deep-seated nature of the economic woes, revealing a debt burden far exceeding initial estimates, coupled with signs of mismanagement and a lack of fiscal prudence by the previous administration. He cited alarming debt figures for the government, state-owned enterprises like ECG and COCOBOD, and detailed the financial repercussions of poor decisions in the cocoa sector, resulting in substantial revenue losses for both COCOBOD and cocoa farmers. The energy sector, similarly burdened by debt, faces an existential threat, and the financial sector struggles despite a costly clean-up exercise. The President pointed to the meager reserves left for debt servicing, contrasting it with the prudent allocation of funds during his previous tenure.
President Mahama outlined a multi-pronged approach to address the economic crisis, emphasizing fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability, and completion of structural reforms. He pledged to reduce government expenditures, starting with a significantly smaller ministerial team and a leaner presidency staff. He announced a National Economic Dialogue to foster consensus on key policies and a home-grown fiscal consolidation programme, inviting participation from all stakeholders. Reiterating his past success in addressing the "Dumsor" power crisis, he declared his unwavering commitment to fixing the current economic crisis and resetting Ghana on a path of growth and prosperity. The President acknowledged the immense challenges ahead, including stalled infrastructure projects due to debt default, but expressed confidence in his government’s ability, working with the people, to implement a comprehensive plan for economic recovery.
Recognizing the urgent need to revitalize key sectors, President Mahama detailed specific interventions for energy, agriculture, and youth development. In the energy sector, he outlined plans to enforce a single revenue collection account, adhere to the Cash Waterfall Mechanism, and eliminate wasteful expenditures. He emphasized the importance of reducing commercial and technical losses to ensure affordable tariffs and aims to achieve 100% gas utilization for power production, phasing out the use of crude oil. The agricultural sector, despite Ghana’s abundant resources, is plagued by a soaring food import bill. President Mahama presented a comprehensive agricultural transformation agenda focusing on modernization, agribusiness development, food security, and job creation. He outlined several initiatives, including the Feed Ghana Programme, poultry farm-to-table project, and the AgriNext Programme to empower young farmers.
Tackling the critical issue of youth unemployment, President Mahama highlighted the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment. He outlined plans to introduce short military training as part of the national service scheme, streamline scholarship administration, and launch the Adwumawura Programme to support young entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the government will roll out the National Apprenticeship Programme to equip young people with employable skills, and in partnership with the Vice-President’s office, empower women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
In the education sector, President Mahama emphasized the need for reforms to meet the demands of the 21st century. He outlined plans to redefine basic education, integrate ICT training into early childhood education, and implement a new curriculum for Senior High Technical and STEM Schools. He reiterated his commitment to improving the Free SHS programme and outlined interventions to improve school feeding, eliminate the double-track system, and support the welfare of teachers. He addressed access challenges in tertiary education, proposing a no-fee policy and an enhanced student loan scheme, alongside expanding STEM programmes and improving university infrastructure.
President Mahama outlined the dire state of the health sector, burdened by significant liabilities, outdated equipment, and the unfinished Agenda 111 hospital projects. He committed to presenting a plan for the Agenda 111 programme, exploring public-private partnerships for completion. He addressed the challenge of USAID’s withdrawal of support and pledged to allocate funds to mitigate the impact. Promising to launch a Free Primary Healthcare Programme and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCare), the President underscored his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and tackling non-communicable diseases.
President Mahama emphasized his commitment to social justice and inclusion, pledging to implement the Affirmative Action Act and promote gender equity. He outlined plans to establish the Women’s Development Bank, expand the LEAP programme, and enhance legal safeguards for marginalized groups. He also addressed the need for revitalizing the sports sector, promoting grassroots sports, and ensuring accountability in the management of national teams. He reiterated his focus on tourism, culture, and creative arts, highlighting initiatives like ‘The Black Star Experience’, promoting MICE tourism, and revitalizing the Accra Marine Drive Project.
President Mahama addressed the pressing need for improved infrastructure, highlighting the crisis in the road sector due to mismanagement and stalled projects. He outlined plans to revitalize the sector, rationalize the Road Sector Portfolio, and implement the "Big Push" infrastructure development programme. He discussed plans to modernize the transport sector, focusing on aviation, maritime, road, and railways, and emphasized the importance of exploring alternative transportation modes, including regularizing "Okada" operations. He highlighted the challenges facing the communication and digital technology sector, including insufficient infrastructure and a significant debt burden. The President outlined plans to review existing laws, develop the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT Bill, and improve cybersecurity measures.
In addressing environmental concerns, the President emphasized the need to address the illegal mining crisis, which has severely damaged forests and polluted water sources. He outlined plans to strengthen regulatory oversight, establish a Gold Board, and promote sustainable forest management practices. The President also highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling climate change, promoting adaptation and mitigation measures, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
President Mahama underscored his unwavering commitment to fighting corruption, emphasizing the progress made by the "Operation Recover All Loot" committee. He pledged to reform anti-corruption agencies, increase funding, and enhance transparency and accountability. He also addressed the need to restore public trust in the judiciary, improve justice delivery, and reform legal education. He reiterated his focus on strengthening national security, reforming recruitment processes within security forces, and enhancing the capabilities of security agencies. He concluded his address by emphasizing the importance of unity, collective action, and the judicious use of resources in rebuilding Ghana. He called on all Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliation, to play their part in resetting the nation and building a Ghana that works for all. He called on all to “Reflect, Review and Reset” being the theme of Ghana’s 68th Independent Commemoration.
