Amid gloomy economic outlook: We’ll build Ghana together - President assures nation

The hallowed halls of Parliament, witness to the ebb and flow of Ghana's destiny, yesterday resonated with anticipation as President John Dramani Mahama delivered his maiden State of the Nation Address for his second and final term in office.

The air was alive with anticipation as the Majority side, clad in white, seemed to embody the very essence of hope; their attire a radiant expression of faith in the promise of tomorrow.

In stark contrast, the Minority side, adorned in sombre shades of black, appeared to  wear the mantle of dissent, their dark hues a poignant reminder of the lingering shadows of pessimism over the President’s promises to the nation.

As the clock struck 10:44 a.m., President Mahama stepped up to the lectern, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Clad in a colourful Dagomba-styled smock, he surveyed the room, his eyes locking onto the sea of expectant faces before him. 

With Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the First Lady, Lordina Mahama; former President, J.A. Kufuor; former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings; Chairman of the Council of State, Edward Doe Adjaho; and Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the President found himself in a familiar company to deliver on the constitutional mandate in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution on his return to the stage he once occupied between December 2012 and January 2017.

Although the scene in the chamber of Parliament was reminiscent of his first term appearances before the House, the circumstances were vastly different, with the weight of a struggling economy on his shoulders.

This included the projected GH¢280 billion in debt servicing hanging over the nation for the next four years, made up of GH¢150 billion for domestic debt and GH¢130 billion for external debt servicing.

Crossroads

President Mahama’s words wove a narrative of hope and resilience, tempered by the sobering realities of a nation at the crossroads, painting a vivid picture of the challenges facing the country and his vision for a brighter future.

 President John Dramani Mahama (seated 2nd from left) with Vice-president Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (right), Alban Sumana Bagbin (2nd from right), Speaker of Parliament, and Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo (left), Chief Justice, during the 2025 SONA. Picture: SAMUEL TEI ADANO

"As we gather here today, we do so with a deep sense of responsibility, knowing that the decisions we make will shape the destiny of our great nation," the President declared, his voice ringing out across the chamber.

President Mahama acknowledged that the state of the economy he inherited was worse than initially anticipated.

"The economy we inherited was in a state of distress, with rising debt, falling revenues, and a general sense of uncertainty," he said.

For instance, he disclosed that despite the previous government’s expenditure of GH¢29.9 billion on the financial sector clean-up exercise, the sector remained in distress.

“The financial sector continues to struggle to date despite the reported spending of GH¢29.9 billion on the financial sector clean-up exercise,” President Mahama said. 

Reset

The President, however, reassured the nation that his administration was committed to fixing the problems and putting the country back on track.

"We are determined to restore hope, to revive the economy, and to rebuild our nation," he said.

"We will do this by investing in our people, by creating jobs and opportunities, and by promoting economic growth and development," he added.

“It is not my style to lament and shift blame when confronted with challenges. I will fix the economic crisis confronting our country and reset it on the path of growth and prosperity,” he added.

The President outlined his vision for a 24-hour economy, aimed at boosting economic productivity and generating decent jobs for the people.

"We must move away from the old ways of doing things and embrace a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship," he said.

"We will support our entrepreneurs, our small business owners and our farmers, to help them grow and thrive," President Mahama pledged.

Economic growth

The President highlighted several key initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, including investments in infrastructure, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and measures to improve the business environment.

"We will build new roads, new bridges and new ports, to facilitate trade and commerce," President Mahama announced.

"We will also invest in our energy sector to ensure that we have a reliable and sustainable supply of power," he added.

Free SHS

On the issue of education, President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining and improving the Free Senior High School policy.

"I, John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, will not cancel the Free Senior High School programme. We will continue to invest in our children, to give them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st century," he said.

"We will also work to improve the quality of our education system by providing our teachers with the training and resources they need to excel," President Mahama pledged.

Illegal mining, others

The President also pledged to address the scourge of illegal mining, which has devastated many communities across the country.

"We will take bold actions to stop the destruction of our environment and to ensure that mining is done in a responsible and sustainable way," he said.

"We will work with our traditional leaders, our chiefs, and our community leaders, to ensure that our natural resources are used for the benefit of all Ghanaians," President Mahama said.

In addition, President Mahama highlighted his administration's efforts to improve health care, including investments in new medical facilities and equipment, as well as measures to address the shortage of healthcare professionals.

He said his administration would complete hospitals under the Agenda 111 project started by the previous administration, revealing that the predecessor government had no dedicated funding for the project.

"We will continue to invest in our healthcare system, to ensure that all Ghanaians have access to quality medical care," he said.

The President also emphasised the importance of good governance, transparency and accountability, and pledged to continue his administration's efforts to tackle corruption and promote integrity in public life.

"We will work tirelessly to ensure that our government is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of our people," President Mahama stated.

As President Mahama concluded his address, the chamber erupted into applause, with many lawmakers praising his vision and leadership.

"Together, we will build a brighter future for Ghana," the President declared.