President John Dramani Mahama, following the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) emphatic victory in the 2024 general elections and assumption to power, has restated his unwavering commitment to national renewal and inclusive development during a passionate address at the Sunyani Jubilee Park.
Speaking as part of his Thank You Tour to express gratitude to the people of the Bono Region for their overwhelming support, the President painted a vivid picture of hope, restoration, and bold transformation for both the region and the nation.
In his address, President Mahama emotionally reconnected with the people of Bono, describing himself not just as Ghana’s leader but as a “grateful son and son-in-law” of the land.
“Medamo ase papaapa,” he said with a smile, expressing thanks in Akan and acknowledging his wife, Lordina Mahama, who hails from the region, for teaching him the language.
The President also conveyed warm greetings from Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang and First Lady Lordina Mahama, setting a tone of familial closeness and national unity.
“This afternoon, we stand here at the Jubilee Park, and I recall with deep emotion our last meeting here before the elections. It was a time of reflection. It was a time of hope, and it was a time of resolve.
“The promise was anchored in restoring our dignity, expanding opportunities for our people, and rekindling our national purpose and I am happy to say that the program of resetting Ghana has begun to take shape”.
HE President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama described the 2024 election victory not as a partisan triumph but as a decisive mandate from the Ghanaian people—a vote for truth, competence, and accountable leadership.
“It was a victory for our teachers, our nurses, our drivers, our farmers, students, market women, artisans, and entrepreneurs,” he said. He praised traditional leaders, civil society groups, and the security services for safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Bridging Infrastructure Deficits
The President addressed the urgent infrastructural deficits facing the Bono Region, noting with concern how several critical road projects initiated during his previous administration were abandoned after the change in government in 2017.
He cited stalled roads like the Sunyani Inner and Outer Ring Roads, Alaska Catholic University Road, and the Sampa-Wenchi Road as key casualties of political discontinuity.
“Clearly, this could not have been part of the 10,000 kilometres of roads that were touted by the past administration,” President Mahama stated, drawing a clear line between rhetoric and reality.
However, hope is not lost. President Mahama announced that all these projects have been captured under the new “Big Push” infrastructure program and that the Minister for Finance has made adequate financial provisions for their execution.
“If any contractor is not working, it’s not because he hasn’t been paid,” he emphasised, calling on citizens to hold non-performing contractors accountable. The Minister of Roads and Highways, he said, has already conducted technical assessments, with face works set to begin shortly.
Further amplifying his government’s development agenda, President Mahama announced plans to construct modern, fit-for-purpose stadiums in the Bono Region and six other newly created regions. The move is part of an initiative to promote sports development across Ghana and ensure equity in regional infrastructure.
Agricuture: Revitalizing the Cashew Industry
On the agriculture front, President Mahama spoke about revitalising the cashew industry, which is a major agriculture and economic pillar of the Bono Region.
Referring to cashew as “not just a crop but a livelihood,” he committed to the long-awaited establishment of a Cashew Development Board to oversee pricing, regulation, market access, and research.
He also announced plans to partner with the private sector to establish a cashew processing factory in the region to retain more value locally and empower rural economies.
Improving Healthcare and Quality Education
Education and healthcare also featured prominently in President Mahama’s address. He noted that the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), a legacy of the NDC, had stagnated under the previous administration due to lack of investment.
“One of the first steps taken by my administration has been to uncap the get fund. This will release more resources to the fund to undertake critical infrastructure projects in all our educational institutions.
“The GetFund has recently conducted an infrastructure audit of the UENR, and will soon commence construction of additional facilities to support the establishment of a fully fledged medical school.”
HE Presient John Dramani Mahama
Furthermore, President Mahama announced the legal regularisation of the Sunyani Regional Hospital as a teaching hospital, correcting what he described as the previous administration’s “empty announcement.”
He disclosed that the Council of State has approved a governing board and that collaboration between the hospital and UENR is already underway for the training of health professionals to serve Bono and adjoining regions.
On basic education, President Mahama was resolute in his intention to resume the construction of abandoned E-block senior high schools across the region.
“These were NDC legacy projects—innovative and community-based schools that have been left in ruins,” he said. Additionally, President Mahama noted that work will resume on all eight facilities started but abandoned at the Alpha Rook Islamic College of Education to bolster the training of Arabic and Islamic teachers.
Market Enhancement Project
Another transformative program unveiled was the market enhancement strategy led by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang. The President revealed that five modern markets would be constructed in key districts of the Bono Region, including Sunyani.
These markets will come equipped with essential facilities like clean water, sanitation, daycare centres, security, and digital infrastructure to support women traders and micro-entrepreneurs.
In a significant announcement tied to the broader 24-hour economy vision, President Mahama outlined a regional industrialisation program that focuses on light manufacturing and agro-processing.
This, he explained, would boost job creation, improve productivity, and catalyse local business growth—placing Bono at the heart of Ghana’s economic resurgence.
President Mahama also addressed governance, affirming his administration’s commitment to inclusive leadership. Chiefs, he said, are not passive custodians of tradition but partners in peacebuilding and community development.
His government, he pledged, will increase funding to traditional councils and strengthen their role in environmental protection and sanitation through upcoming constitutional reforms.
Addressing Environmental Concerns
Highlighting environmental concerns in the region, the President launched the “Green Bono Agenda,” a comprehensive initiative aimed at afforestation, water resource protection, and climate-resilient agriculture.
School children across the region will participate in tree-planting competitions, with incentives for nurturing successful growth. “Every school child in the Bono Region must plant and nurture a tree to grow,” President Mahama declared, framing the campaign as a civic duty and a symbol of generational responsibility.
President Mahama also celebrated the achievements of distinguished individuals from the Bono Region who are playing instrumental roles in advancing the national reset agenda. Among them are Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, and Hon. Joseph Adai Akwaboah, Bono Regional Minister.
He further acknowledged key appointments such as Sammy Gyamfi (CEO, Ghana Gold Board), Randolph Twumasi Ankrah (CEO, Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation), and Mr. Eric Adjei (CEO, NEIP), among others, hailing their dedication and professionalism.
Concluding his address, President Mahama underscored the gravity of the work ahead. He reiterated that the 2025 budget, recently presented to Parliament, lays out pragmatic steps to restore macroeconomic stability, support small businesses, and invest in human development.
“Let us rise above partisanship and division. Let us build a Ghana that works not just for a privileged few people, but for all citizens,” he urged. The Thank You Tour, he said, was not just a ceremonial gesture but a reaffirmation of a social contract between leadership and the people. “It is a renewal of the covenant that exists between you and me,” President Mahama said.
With unity, discipline, and an unyielding sense of purpose, he believes Ghana can and will rise again. “May God bless the Bono region. May God bless our homeland, Ghana, and make our nation great and strong,” the President concluded, drawing thunderous applause from the thousands gathered.
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