Mahama 2.0: Analyst Says New Administration is ‘Setting a Different Tone’ in First 100 Days

Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, a respected research fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and seasoned political analyst, has offered a preliminary assessment of President John Mahama’s administration during its first 102 days in office.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Dr. Osae-Kwapong noted that the current Mahama-led government appears to be charting a new path—one that is distinctly different from the administration that lost power in the 2016 elections.

“I believe the John Mahama administration is trying to set a different tone,” he said. “At least from my observation, compared to his first administration and what led to his loss in 2016.”

Among the notable early moves by the government is the decision to cap the number of ministers at 60—a campaign promise that many Ghanaians have closely watched. The administration is also tackling contentious issues like the unpopular E-levy, a policy that stirred significant public backlash in recent years.

“I mean putting a government together, ensuring that he is sticking with his promise of no more than 60 ministers—those are key things, low-hanging fruits that you can immediately tackle. The E-levy, a very unpopular policy,” Dr. Osae-Kwapong pointed out.

While commending these efforts, he also cautioned that the full picture of the administration’s performance cannot be determined just yet.

“As to how it all plays, I think it will take more than 120 days,” he remarked, adding that the national budget has given a clear signal of the government’s priorities and governance framework.

“Overall though, my initial assessment is that, again, if you look at the budget, they have signaled where they want to place their priorities, how they want to spend or not spend. They are putting in place a good framework that will allow them to govern the way President Mahama foresees his current government.”

As the new administration continues to navigate its formative months, Dr. Osae-Kwapong’s insights shed light on its early direction and the potential for a renewed political narrative under President Mahama.

By Phalonzy