President Mahama Sets Economy, Business, Governance, and Corruption Fight as First 4 Priorities

President Mahama’s inaugural speech prioritized economic restoration, governance reforms, business-friendly policies, and anti-corruption measures, pledging 26 actions within 120 days to reset Ghana’s trajectory

Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Mahama, has outlined a decisive agenda to address the nation’s pressing challenges. Speaking at his inauguration at Accra’s Black Star Square, he emphasized four key priorities: economic restoration, enhancing the business environment, governance reforms, and a resolute fight against corruption.

His administration, he pledged, will execute 26 specific actions within the first 120 days to address these urgent issues and reset the nation’s trajectory. President John Mahama is determined to make a significant impact.

Acknowledging the severe economic hardships facing Ghanaians, including high inflation, rising debt, and a depreciating currency, the President stressed the need for immediate economic stabilization.

“We have lurched from crisis to crisis, but today marks the beginning of a new opportunity, an opportunity to reset Ghana,” he said.

With inflation hovering at over 20% in 2024 and a growing debt burden, the economy has faced significant pressure. However, recent projections suggest a recovery is on the horizon, with a 4.4% growth rate anticipated by 2025, signaling cautious optimism under the leadership of President John Mahama.

Recognizing that restoring macroeconomic stability alone will not suffice, the President highlighted the importance of revitalizing the private sector. He vowed to make Ghana “open for business” by implementing reforms to attract investments and support entrepreneurs.

These changes, he noted, will address systemic challenges such as delays in payments and financing constraints that have impacted key sectors like cocoa production, where recent disruptions caused significant losses. The President’s focus on creating a business-friendly environment aligns with the need to rebuild investor confidence, both domestically and internationally.

Turning to governance, President John Mahama stressed the importance of constitutional reforms to strengthen institutions and enhance transparency. He emphasized that these reforms would be pivotal in rebuilding public trust, which has eroded in recent years due to perceived inefficiencies and corruption.

Addressing corruption, the President called for decisive action against what he described as a systemic issue that has stifled Ghana’s development. “Actions speak louder than words,” he remarked, reiterating his commitment to making accountability a cornerstone of his administration.

The fight against corruption has been a source of public frustration, with Ghana scoring 43 out of 100 in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, a stagnation that reflects the scale of the challenge ahead. President John Mahama vows to change this perception.

The President also tied his vision for a reset to Ghana’s role in the global economy, acknowledging that the nation’s recovery depends not only on local efforts but also on navigating a challenging international economic landscape.

He emphasized the need for Ghana to position itself strategically in global trade and investment flows, leveraging partnerships to spur development and growth.

Source: thehighstreetjournal.com