GhanaWeb feature by Amos Manteaw
Barely two months into office as the 6th President of the 4th Republic of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama has been commended by a section of the public for certain initiatives and implementations.
The President, who staged a comeback in the 2024 election after previously serving as President, appears to have gained significant experience for his second tenure in office.
Sworn in on January 7, 2025, some of his policies and implementations have been widely praised by the public.
Several individuals and organizations, including known government critics, have lauded these initiatives.
Among those who have praised Mahama for his policies are Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa; Senyo Hosi, businessman and economic policy analyst; and journalist Nana Aba Anamoah, and scores of social media users most especially X.
Organizations such as Elections Watch Ghana, and the political group Movement for Change have also expressed support for his administration’s decisions within the first few months of office.
GhanaWeb highlights five key initiatives of President Mahama that have received massive acclaim:
1.Reduction of Ministerial Positions
President John Dramani Mahama has, by Executive Instrument, reduced the number of ministries from 30 to 23.
This moves forms part of an administrative restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining government operations.
The restructuring was formalized through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1), signed by President Mahama on January 9, 2025.
The Executive Instrument outlines the newly established ministries and revokes the previous arrangement under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12).
Some key changes include the establishment of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, among others.
2.Ban on first-class official travels
President Mahama has announced a ban on first-class travel for government appointees, emphasizing that his administration will be marked by modesty and respect for the people of Ghana.
He made this known at the swearing-in ceremony of ministers at the Jubilee House on Friday, February 7, 2025.
The President stressed that public officials must be mindful of how they use state resources.
He also stated that he had directed the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, to officially inform ministers and government appointees of an immediate restriction on non-essential travel.
3.Public declaration of assets and accountability for appointees
President Mahama has warned that he will take drastic measures against any appointee who fails to declare their assets by the deadline he has set.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after declaring his own assets, President Mahama stated that he had instructed the Chief of Staff to notify all appointees to declare their assets by March 31, 2025.
“I’ve asked the Chief of Staff to ensure that all appointees declare their assets by the end of the first quarter of this year, that is, by March 31, 2025. Any appointee failing to meet this deadline will face severe sanctions, including removal from office,” he stated.
Reaffirming his commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency, Mahama explained that his decision to publicly declare his assets was intended to enforce openness and prevent corruption.
4.Payment of bondholders
The Ministry of Finance, on Monday, February 17, 2025, successfully honoured the Payment-In-Cash (VIC) coupon of GH₵6.081 billion to all bondholders under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
This action aligns with a directive issued by President Mahama, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations.
Additionally, the government has settled the Pay-In-Kind (PIK) portion of GH₵3.46 billion, which has been deposited into the respective bondholders’ securities accounts in accordance with the terms outlined in the DDEP Memorandum.
To strengthen debt management and enhance investor confidence, the government has allocated GH₵9.7 billion into the Debt Service Recovery Cedi Account (Sinking Fund).
This buffer is intended to support the upcoming 5th DDEP coupon payments scheduled for July and August 2025.
5.Reduction of Hajj fare
Hajj travel is a significant aspect of the Muslim faith, and President Mahama’s decision to reduce the fare has been met with widespread praise.
The government has reduced the cost of Hajj from GH₵75,000 to GH₵62,000 per person.
AM/KA
You can also watch Godfred Dame’s full speech on legal case withdrawals below:
