President John Dramani Mahama has vowed to fix Ghana’s problem in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) since his historic return to office, outlining the severe economic crisis confronting Ghana and his administration’s commitment to resetting the country’s fortunes.
Addressing Parliament, President Mahama acknowledged the deep hardships faced by Ghanaians while expressing confidence in his government’s ability to restore economic stability and prosperity.
President Mahama began his address with a reflection on his political journey, recalling his first steps into public service nearly three decades ago as a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi.
He noted that his return to Parliament after a decade was driven by an unprecedented electoral mandate, which also resulted in an overwhelming majority for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“It has also been nearly a decade since I said goodbye to this house after delivering what many including myself thought at the time would be my final address to parliament. God almighty, providence, and the unpredictability of life have summoned me here once again.
“On the back of a historic electoral mandate from the people of Ghana to deliver a message on the state of the nation. That mandate came with an unprecedented majority in parliament. And here I am once again to deliver a message on the state of the nation.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Expressing gratitude to Parliament for swiftly vetting and approving his ministerial nominees, President Mahama highlighted his administration’s commitment to cutting government expenditure.
He announced a significant reduction in the number of ministers and deputy ministers to 60, including regional ministers, marking a sharp departure from previous administrations known for bloated governmental structures.
“With the inauguration of the Council of State, we can begin appointing the staff of the presidency. I intend to significantly reduce the number of staff compared to what existed under previous administrations.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
He emphasised his resolve to lead by example in addressing government inefficiency and wasteful spending.
A Nation in Crisis
While acknowledging Ghana’s democratic resilience and peaceful power transitions, President Mahama painted a grim picture of the country’s economic state.
“Mister Speaker, I am sad to report that the state of our nation is not good. Our economy is in crisis, and our people are suffering unprecedented hardships”.
HE President John Dramani Mahama
He cited rising inflation, a weakening cedi, high unemployment, and a growing budget deficit as indicators of the crisis, arguing that these economic difficulties necessitated bold and decisive leadership.
To address these issues, he announced the launch of a National Economic Dialogue in March, where stakeholders from various sectors will deliberate on solutions for Ghana’s economic recovery.
Additionally, he revealed that the Minister of Finance would present the 2025 Budget Statement on March 11, an occasion that would provide a clearer assessment of Ghana’s economic standing and government policy direction.
A Bold Pledge to Fix the Economy
President Mahama was unequivocal in his commitment to tackling the economic crisis, echoing his past success in resolving Ghana’s power supply challenges.
“Mister Speaker, yesterday marked exactly ten years since I stood in this chamber to declare my determination to fix ‘Dumsor,’ a legacy problem of power shortages. And, Mister Speaker, I fixed it”.
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Buoyed by this track record, he issued a similarly bold pledge regarding Ghana’s economic crisis “That I, John Dramani Mahama, will fix the economic crisis confronting our country and reset it on a path of growth and prosperity,” emphasizing that his government had a well-thought-out plan, backed by the will of the Ghanaian people, to restore economic stability.
President Mahama stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation, urging both NDC and opposition legislators to work together in tackling Ghana’s economic difficulties.
He reiterated that his administration would uphold high governance standards and accountability, given the strong voter mandate.
“For the National Democratic Congress, this resounding victory is a selfless call to duty from a people who are tired of years of economic hardship and poor governance.
“That call places an obligation on us and all who serve—including legislators from both sides of the house—to do our utmost with decency and humility to change the circumstances and the state of our country”.
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Hope Amidst Challenges
Despite the economic crisis, President Mahama expressed optimism that Ghana could turn the tide with the right policies and governance approach.
He acknowledged that hardships had tested the resilience of the Ghanaian people but assured them that his administration was focused on delivering solutions.
“I understand why I was elected with such high voter confidence, and that is to solve Ghana’s problems,” he remarked, reinforcing his commitment to work tirelessly to improve the nation’s fortunes.
President Mahama’s 2025 State of the Nation Address set the tone for his administration’s approach to governance—acknowledging Ghana’s economic struggles while committing to decisive action.
His pledge to fix the economy, just as he resolved the power crisis a decade ago, signals a leadership determined to confront challenges head-on.
With a National Economic Dialogue and a crucial budget presentation on the horizon, the coming months will be pivotal in shaping Ghana’s economic trajectory under Mahama’s leadership.
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