President John Dramani Mahama has touted his administrative accomplishments during a nationally televised address to commemorate his administration’s first 120 days in office.
The address, framed as an accountability report on his “Social Contract” with the Ghanaian people, was marked by confidence, clarity, and a firm assertion that his government has delivered on the ambitious promises laid out during the campaign and in the early days of his tenure.
“My Fellow Ghanaians, Good Evening. Today, May 7, 2025, marks one hundred and twenty (120) days since I had the profound honour of being sworn in as President of the Republic of Ghana for a new four-year term”.
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The address, grounded in the vision of “Building the Ghana We Want Together,” was structured as a performance report on key deliverables from the administration’s “Resetting Ghana” manifesto.
This manifesto, President Mahama explained, formed the foundation of a targeted, 120-day action plan meant to kickstart national recovery, reform governance, and restore integrity to public leadership.
“Let me state clearly: We made promises, and we have kept them. Our first 120 days have been defined by decisive action, a commitment to transparency, and a relentless focus on laying the foundation for building the Ghana we want—a just, prosperous, and united Ghana.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Two key pillars stood out in the president’s update: the formation of a lean and efficient government, and the establishment of a robust Code of Conduct to instil discipline and transparency across public service.
Addressing concerns about bloated and expensive government structures—a recurring critique of successive administrations— President Mahama emphasized his resolve to set a new standard.
He proudly revealed that his administration has appointed only 56 ministers and deputies, which he noted is “the smallest number of ministers and deputies appointed by any government in the Fourth Republic.”
The appointments, he explained, were not only timely—completed within the constitutionally promised 14 days—but also strategic, ensuring that the most competent hands were on deck from day one.
The President also gave an update on the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), noting that the process of confirming them at the local government level is underway.
This, he said, will ensure the swift and full operationalization of his administration’s governance architecture across all districts.
Ethics and Integrity
But perhaps the most potent part of the address was President Mahama’s focus on ethics and integrity in public service.
Returning to a theme that has long defined his political brand, he announced the launch of a revised and significantly strengthened Code of Conduct for government officials.
The updated code, he said, goes beyond generic guidelines and includes strict provisions such as a ban on the purchase of state property by officials—whether directly or through proxies—rules governing acceptance of hampers, and a clear cap on the value of official gifts that public servants may receive.
“I have left my appointees in no doubt that I will bring down the hammer swiftly and strongly if they breach any of its provisions.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The move is widely seen as a direct response to public concern over corruption, conflict of interest, and what many have called a culture of impunity in previous administrations.
In seeking to set new boundaries of acceptable conduct in public office, President Mahama appeared to be staking his legacy not just on performance, but on principle.
The President’s address, though concise, was layered with symbolism and purpose. By choosing the 120-day mark—a timeline rarely used for political stocktaking—President Mahama sought to communicate urgency, readiness, and a break from business-as-usual politics.
His focus on delivery, integrity, and efficient governance may strike a chord with many citizens who are still searching for a credible alternative in a nation where public confidence in leadership has drastically declined in recent years.
How well these pledges hold up under pressure will be the true test of this early momentum in the upcoming weeks and months, particularly as Ghana continues to manage its economic recovery and deal with structural issues in its public sector.
For the time being, however, President Mahama has proven his point: a government that pledged to get right to work and has done so—with determination, purpose, and a clear commitment to resetting Ghana’s democratic and developmental course.
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