John Mahama Sworn in as Ghana’s President, Promises to Fix the Economy and Create Jobs
John Dramani Mahama, 66, officially began his second term as Ghana’s president on Tuesday after winning the December 7 election by a big margin.
During a ceremony in Accra, Ghana’s capital, Mahama promised to improve the economy and provide jobs to reduce public frustration.
This political comeback marks a peaceful transfer of power in Ghana, a country known for its stable democracy, unlike other parts of West Africa, which have seen military takeovers and violence, according to Reuters.
Mahama takes over from former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who completed two terms in office. The event at Accra’s Independence Square attracted over 20 presidents and world leaders, continuing Ghana’s tradition of peaceful democratic transitions.
In his speech, Mahama acknowledged the struggles Ghanaians are facing due to economic hardship. “We are a people battered by crises, but there’s hope ahead,” he said, as his supporters cheered loudly. Ghana’s economy has been through tough times recently, including a cost-of-living crisis, an IMF bailout, and a debt default.
Although the economy is now showing signs of recovery, Mahama faces the urgent task of delivering on his promises to fight youth unemployment and corruption—two major issues that have caused many Ghanaians to lose trust in politics, Reuters reported.
A finance professor at the University of Ghana, Godfred Bokpin, explained to Reuters that people are growing frustrated with democracy because they feel they aren’t benefiting enough from it. “They did their part by voting, but they are asking: what have they gained from it?”
Power Shortages and Food Prices Are Key Issues
Mahama said his plan to improve the economy would focus on agriculture and agribusiness. He aims to create jobs for young people, support local industries, and attract foreign investment. Analysts believe his party’s two-thirds majority in parliament gives him enough power to make tough decisions and carry out serious reforms to boost livelihoods and restore investor confidence.
However, Mahama faces a tough challenge ahead—a looming power crisis. Early reports suggest Ghana owes more than $2.5 billion to power providers, and if this isn’t fixed soon, it could harm the fragile economic recovery.
Bright Simons from the IMANI think tank told Reuters that the previous government only applied “temporary fixes” to keep the system running but left major problems unresolved.
Another big concern is inflation, which has been rising for three straight months, hitting 23% in November. Food prices have gone up, making life harder for ordinary people.
Bokpin told Reuters that while big economic plans are good, Mahama must prioritize food production because many Ghanaians are struggling to afford basic meals. “You can talk about fancy things like skyscrapers, but the reality is, people are hungry,” he said.
Reuters added that Mahama will need to act fast to meet people’s high expectations. His ability to tackle key issues like unemployment, corruption, power shortages, and food production will determine whether Ghanaians regain trust in his leadership.
In the end, Mahama’s success will depend on whether he can deliver real change and improve daily life for ordinary citizens.
Credit : Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghanas-mahama-returns-president-facing-old-problems-2025-01-07