John Dramani Mahama is Ghana’s president
The politics of deceit, insincerity and insensitivity has been witnessed under the regime of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, making citizens cautiously optimistic about political pronouncements these days.
Akufo-Addo’s nepotistic and kleptocratic style of governance has lowered the bar of partisan politics.
Any Ghanaian who may still have any scintilla of doubt of Mahama’s commitment to delivering the needed change in governance after Nana Akufo-Addo should be certain now of Mahama’s commitments in 5 key areas, namely governance, corruption, high-tech galamsey fights, abolishment of nuisance taxes, and transformational policies for a stable economy and accelerated development. Let’s briefly look at the above stated points.
1. Effective governance
In the campaign trails of President Mahama before the December 7 general elections, he promised Ghanaians of more effective governance by ensuring that his regime becomes leanest in the 4th Republic coupled with setting standards and code of conduct for his appointees.
Before taking office on January 7, 2025, he has announced his 120 days Social Contract with Ghanaians, which included his promise of getting his lean government with about 60 Ministers in 14 days, code of conduct and standards for all appointees, etc.
The days of wastage, arrogance of power, nepotism, and sheer impunity under outgoing President Akufo-Addo will be the thing of the past. Mahama’s regime will go a long way to provide effective governance for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
2. Committed corruption fight
The promise of outgoing Akufo-Addo to protect the public purse turned out to be leaking seriously through corruption under his watch. Corruption has worsened under Nana Akufo-Addo.
The incoming President, John Dramani Mahama told Ghanaians during his campaign trails that he would face corruption head-on with the mantra of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL). Before taking office on January 7, 2025, President Mahama has hit the ground running by putting in place a 5-member preparatory ORAL Team, which has already started working.
The incoming President also captured in his First 120 days Social Contract with Ghanaians to institute inquiries and/or forensic audits into major corruption scandals which rocked the outgoing Akufo-Addo who has been termed the ‘Mother Serpent of Corruption’. President Mahama can be trusted to tackle corruption head-on and deal with people, especially his Appointees who may engage in corrupt acts.
3. Containment of HTG operations
Outgoing President Akufo-Addo has embarrassed himself with his bold public statement of putting his Presidency on the line in the matter of the ragging HTG operations while the evidence on the ground is getting worst under his very eyes.
As I indicated one of my publication on the HTG menace, I can bet my last penny on incoming President Mahama to halt this dangerous land use practice (see https://www.modernghana.com/news/1325839/i-can-bet-my-last-penny-on-mahama-to-contain-the.html, 09. July 2024).
Again, in the First 120 days Social Contract with Ghanaians, the incoming President categorically stated that his regime will ban illegal and new mining activities in forest reserves and on water bodies. He also suggested other measures that will help clean and restore polluted rivers and degraded lands such as tree planting and the use of Blue water Initiative. These are concrete steps that will help contain the devastating HTG phenomenon in Ghana.
4. Abolishment of nuisance taxes
President Mahama also emphasized that he would repeal some nuisance taxes such as e-levy, COVID levy, 10% on bet winnings, and emissions tax as soon as he takes office on Jan 7, 2025. It is thus surprising to see this campaign promise also captured in the First 120 days milestones in his regime.
Within the first 90 days into office, President Mahama indicated that he would review taxes and levies on vehicles and equipment imported into the country for industrial and agricultural purposes. This step will enable business owners to break even and make profit to expand and employ more qualified job seekers.
5. Transformational policies
The Resetting Ghana Agenda Manifesto 2024 is replete with a number of transformative policy options which endeared to Ghanaians to give the NDC and President Mahama with a resounding victory in the 2024 general elections. The first one among such policies is the game-changer 24-Hour Economy policy, No-Academic-Fee Policy, Women’s Development Bank, government policy on banning political appointees from purchasing state assets, etc.
Concluding remarks
The best thing to have happened to Ghana is the comeback of President Mahama to clear the mess in the economic, social as well as the environmental sectors created by the outgoing government of Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia.
President has not done the talking but will also be walking his talk from 2025 to 2028.
Although expectations of Ghanaians are understandably high, president Mahama with enormous experience, commitment and vision will deliver on the Resetting Ghana Agenda for all. All of us need to support this vision of President Mahama
