President Mahama’s first State of the Nation Address focused on Ghana’s economic crisis, urging prompt approval of deputy ministers to enhance governance efficiency. He outlined plans for a smaller cabinet to reduce costs, addressed the nation’s debt burden, and affirmed his commitment to economic recovery. Mahama emphasized the importance of solutions over blame in facing challenges and announced upcoming discussions on the economy.
In his inaugural State of the Nation Address since assuming office in January 2025, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana addressed the nation and parliamentarians on February 27, highlighting several critical issues, particularly the economic challenges facing the country. Mahama emphasized the high levels of national debt and announced efforts to streamline governance by reducing the size of the cabinet to 60 ministers, including deputies and regional ministers, in an attempt to cut costs.
He urged parliament members to expedite the approval process for his nominees for deputy ministers following their swift approval of other ministerial appointments. President Mahama remarked, “This efficiency is unmatched in the history of the Fourth Republic. It demonstrates what we can achieve when we come together to serve the people of our great country.”
The president acknowledged that the choice to reduce the number of ministers is driven by public dissatisfaction with governance costs. He expressed a commitment to minimizing the number of staff at the presidency compared to previous administrations, explaining, “The aim of this reduction is to lead by example, cut down government spending, and manage the budget deficit effectively.”
While stressing that the state of the nation is not favorable, Mahama acknowledged the democratic progress Ghana has made, despite current hardships. “I am saddened to report that the state of our nation is not good, our economy is in crisis, and our people are experiencing unforeseen hardships,” he stated.
He announced plans for a national economic dialogue scheduled for March 3-4, followed by a budget estimate presentation by the Minister of Finance on March 11. Mahama reassured citizens of his commitment to address the nation’s economic challenges, stating, “I do not blame individuals when challenges arise; my focus is on confronting these issues and providing solutions.”
The president remarked on the significant debt burden Ghana faces, attributing it to mismanagement of public resources. Additionally, he pointed out that inflation rates surpassed targets set with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and highlighted the depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the dollar.
President Mahama detailed current public debts and the inability to improve infrastructure because of these fiscal challenges. He concluded by sharing plans to review the IMF support program and establish a new minimum wage to support workers, stating, “We are working diligently to address these debts and move the country forward.”
In summary, President Mahama’s address focused on the pressing economic issues faced by Ghana, his commitment to reducing the size of government, and plans to enhance fiscal management and governance. He called for expedited approval of his deputy ministers, acknowledged the current state of the economy, and reiterated his dedication to resolving the country’s financial challenges while ensuring the welfare of its citizens.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
