Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, in a meeting with UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, called on international partners to maintain their cooperation with the country, in light of economic challenges and the recent suspension of USAID support.
During a visit by the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, President Mahama emphasized the need for sustained foreign collaboration as Ghana works to stabilize its economy and restore growth.
He underscored the importance of “fiscal discipline” and strategic investments to revitalize the economy.
President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s exclusion from the international credit markets, like the IMF, as a major challenge but remained positive that cooperation with key global partners could help bridge the gap.
“One of the things we must do is be very prudent in terms of our fiscal discipline. We need to make sure that we’re able to come out of the crisis, bring the country back onto the path of growth, and create prosperity for our people”.
President John Dramani Mahama
“We have a young, growing population, and one of the major issues that came up strongly in the election was jobs,” he said. President Mahama acknowledged the financial strain caused by the “freeze” of USAID assistance, which resulted in a budgetary shortfall of $156 million.
However, he expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to make adjustments while hoping for continued and improved engagement from international allies.
“We are living in a very unpredictable world where relations between countries are becoming very transactional,” he observed.
“The freeze in assistance from the United States is something we are managing by making our own budgetary adjustments.
“But it is my hope that our other partners will not only sustain our cooperation but even lift it to a higher level so we can continue to support the most vulnerable in our society”.
President John Dramani Mahama
UK Pledges Stronger Economic Collaboration
In response, UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to deepening ties with Ghana.
She emphasized parallel economic goals between the two nations and expressed admiration for President Mahama’s vision, particularly his 24-hour economy policy, which seeks to drive economic expansion and job creation.
“It’s an absolute honor and a privilege to be here and to be one of the first to visit you after your great election victory.
“What struck me is that your campaign focused on the 24-hour economy, and that aligns with our mutual aspirations for economic growth, both in the UK and here in Ghana”
Angela Rayner, UK Deputy Prime Minister
Rayner pointed to the entrepreneurial spirit she witnessed during her visit, noting that Ghana’s private sector has significant potential for job creation.
She assured President Mahama of the UK’s continued support in fostering economic development, highlighting the long-standing partnership between the two nations.
She reported her observation of “some of the entrepreneurs” Ghana has and their serious drive to create job expansions in the economy.
“Our long history of supporting your endeavors is something we will continue to build on,” she promised.
“The fact that both our governments are focused on growth and creating good jobs to improve living standards is a sign of the strong alignment between us”
Angela Rayner, UK Deputy Prime Minister
Rayner further emphasized that the UK government remains committed to supporting Ghana’s economic ambitions and ensuring that the benefits of growth reach ordinary citizens.
“We will be there as a friend, as we always have been, to support and make sure that both our economies can grow,” she stated.
According to her, the UKs partnership with Ghana aims to see “the people on the ground” secure jobs and experience the impact of an environment with “tangible economic prosperity”.
Her remarks reinforced the UK’s commitment and broader strategy of “fostering economic cooperation with Ghana”, particularly in sectors that promote job creation, industrialization, and trade.
The meeting came at a crucial time for Ghana. With the new government facing economic headwinds and uncertainty in international assistance, diplomatic engagements like this could play a vital role in shaping the nation’s recovery trajectory.
Mahama’s appeal for sustained global cooperation and Rayner’s pledge of stronger UK support established the kind of camaraderie that sparks relevant interventions for nations.
As the government works to restore stability and implement growth-oriented plans and policies, international partnerships, both financial and strategic, will be key to ensuring that economic reforms translate into real improvements for Ghana.
