His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has expressed profound gratitude to the people of the Northern Region for their unwavering support during the 2024 elections.
Speaking at the Tamale Jubilee Park as part of his Thank You Tour, President Mahama reaffirmed his deep personal connection to the region and outlined his administration’s ambitious plans to reset Ghana’s economy, revitalize key sectors, and drive infrastructural development in Northern Ghana.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, President Mahama recalled that seven months earlier, he had launched the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) 2024 election campaign in the same city.
Now, with victory secured, he returned to extend his gratitude to the people of the Northern Region for their overwhelming endorsement of the party.
“The people of the Northern Region have reaffirmed their trust in the National Democratic Congress NDC at a time when some analysts suggested that your trust was waning in our party. You have rejected doubts and reaffirmed your belief in the NDC’s vision for Ghana.
“For that, I am deeply grateful, and I say to the people of Northern Region and Tamale,… I thank you so much for returning an overwhelming endorsement of our party, not only in the presidential elections but also in the parliamentary”.
President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama highlighted the NDC’s commanding electoral performance, revealing that in the presidential elections, the party secured 56.55% of the votes, with a significant margin of 1.7 million votes over their closest competitor.
Additionally, the NDC won 183 parliamentary seats nationwide, falling just one seat short of securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
However, he noted that with the collaboration of four independent candidates, the NDC effectively holds two-thirds control in the legislative house.
A Personal Connection to the Northern Region
President Mahama’s return to the Northern Region carried personal significance. He reminisced about his early years in Damango, which was part of the Northern Region until the creation of the Savannah Region.
He narrated his journey of growing up in Tamale, where his father had established a rice-growing and processing business, adding that the city played a crucial role in his education, professional growth, and even his personal life.
“Some years later, having done my national service again here in Tamale, I met my life partner, Mrs Lordina Mahama, who had just completed her education at Ghana Secondary School, also here in Tamale.
“Tamale did not just give me a place to stand. It contributed significantly to who I am. And for that, I’ll forever be in debt to the Northern region. It’s people and the unbreakable spirit that has carried me through this journey”.
President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama
The Real Battle: Resetting Ghana’s Economy
President Mahama acknowledged that winning the election was only the first step. The real challenge, he emphasized, is resetting Ghana’s economy, restoring key institutions, and putting the country back on a path of sustainable growth and progress.
To achieve this, he outlined immediate and long-term policy measures that will be at the heart of his administration.
A cornerstone of his 2025 budget and economic recovery strategy is the elimination of burdensome taxes.
President Mahama announced that upon the passage of the budget, his government would scrap several unpopular levies, including: Betting tax, E-levy, Emissions levy and VAT on motor vehicle insurance.
“In addition, we are undertaking a comprehensive review of port charges, which will make imports and exports more affordable, boosting trade and industry. These decisive actions shall deliver immediate relief, lower the cost of living, stimulate investments, and create a fairer economic environment for all Ghanaians.”
President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama
Major Investments in Education and Health
President Mahama further underscored his administration’s commitment to improving education. Key policy initiatives include: expansion of the School Feeding Program with increased funding to provide more nutritious meals to schoolchildren.
He also mentioned the significant increase in Capitation Grants to ensure smooth operation of basic schools and GHS 564.6 million allocation for textbooks, ensuring students have the learning materials they need.
Others include the provision of free sanitary pads for female students to prevent absenteeism during menstruation and uncapping of the GETFund, guaranteeing full funding for Free Senior High School (SHS) and free tertiary education for persons with disabilities.
“And for the many young people who have lost the opportunity to pursue tertiary education due to their inability to pay admission fees, we have allocated funds for the immediate implementation of the no academic fees policy for first year tertiary students.
“The uncapping of the GetFund will also enable us to complete all abandoned e-block projects in the region and continue and complete abandoned infrastructure projects in our existing institutions”.
President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama
In the health sector, President Mahama announced a bold initiative to address chronic ailments. According to him, his government will allocate GHS 9.93 billion to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for medical claims, vaccines, and the implementation of the free primary health program.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund also known as the Mahama Cares Program according to the President will provide support for patients with chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, cancer, and cardiothoracic conditions.
“Ladies and gentlemen, there’s good news for nursing and teacher trainees. Nursing and teacher trainees allowances are to be paid directly by the controller and accountant general. This has been made a a part of the compensation’s item in the budget.
“This will permanently eliminate the delay in trainees, receiving their allowances. This means that anytime public sector workers receive their monthly salaries, teacher and nursing trainees will also receive their allowances.”
President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama
Support for Youth, Entrepreneurship, and Infrastructure
To tackle unemployment, President Mahama outlined plans for massive investment in youth empowerment including the implementation of the Adwumawura Program, which will provide funding and mentorship for 10,000 young entrepreneurs annually.
The President also noted that his administration will son commence the rollout of the National Apprenticeship Program, which will equip youth with technical and vocational skills for self-employment and job creation.
$10 billion ‘Big Push’ infrastructure program
Moreover, President Mahama affirmed his administration’s plans to implement the $10 billion ‘Big Push’ infrastructure program, spread over five years, aimed at modernizing roads, bridges, and energy systems.
According to him, the Northern Ghana is set to be a major beneficiary of these initiatives. Key infrastructure projects include: construction of critical bridges, including the White Volta Bridge at Yapei and the Oti River Bridge at Saboba.
The President also announced the completion of ongoing road projects, such as the Tamale-Tatale, Yendi-Saboba, and Wapuli-Cheriponi roads and the expansion of clean water access through the Yapei Water Treatment Plant and rehabilitation of the Dalon Water Plant.
Energy and Agriculture for Sustainable Development
Recognizing the importance of stable power supply for economic development, President Mahama announced: a $13.4 million grant from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to construct a new substation and power distribution lines in Tamale.
This, according to the President will include a new bulk supply point on the Eastern Corridor, solving low voltage issues affecting communities like Gushiegu, Yendi, and Bimbila.
On agriculture, President Mahama promised sustained investment in irrigation and agro-processing to maximize output and create jobs.
According to him, solar-powered irrigation systems will be deployed to support year-round farming, and farm-to-market roads will be constructed to reduce post-harvest losses.
“We aim to complete the Eastern Corridor Road. And so, reverend, like you said, the remaining portions between, Kpasa, Oti-Damango, and Kpasa to Nkwanta are going to be completed so that the Eastern Corridor will will be able to run through.
“Through this targeted investment, the Northern Region is poised to become a key driver of Ghana’s industrial and agricultural development. By prioritizing agriculture, irrigation, and agro processing, and human capital development, I intend to lay the foundation for sustainable economic transformation of the North”.
President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama
Concluding his address, President Mahama expressed gratitude to the people of the Northern Region for their immense contribution to Ghana’s progress across various sectors.
He emphasized the importance of equitable distribution of national resources to unlock the full economic potential of all regions.
“Our emphasis on equal distribution of resources is not just about fairness—it’s about unlocking Ghana’s full economic potential. Every region must contribute at its full capacity to national development”.
President of Ghana HE John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama’s speech reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible development, positioning Northern Ghana as a key driver of industrial and agricultural transformation.
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