President John Dramani Mahama delivered his first State of the Nation address on February 27, 2025, outlining challenges such as a struggling economy and substantial national debt. He called for swift approval of deputy ministers, reduced the number of cabinet members to lower governance costs, and announced plans for a national economic dialogue. Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to addressing economic crises while maintaining transparency with the Ghanaian public.
In his inaugural State of the Nation address delivered on February 27, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama addressed the Ghanaian Parliament, outlining various pressing challenges the country faces, particularly regarding its economy. Although he expressed his recognition of the governmental efficiency demonstrated by Parliament in approving ministerial nominees, he emphasized the need for rapid approval of deputy ministerial positions to enhance governance effectiveness.
President Mahama noted that to address the burgeoning debts and high governance costs, he has reduced the number of ministers to 60, which he believes will help lower expenses in future administrations. He highlighted his vision to lead by example through reducing presidential staff in comparison to prior administrations to cut expenditure further and manage the national budget deficit.
Regarding the state of the nation, Mr. Mahama remarked that the country is not in a favorable situation, particularly with economic difficulties impacting the populace. He announced initiatives such as a national economic dialogue scheduled for March 3-4 and a budget presentation from the Minister of Finance to provide transparency regarding the economic challenges Ghana faces.
He acknowledged the historical context of Ghana’s peaceful transfer of power, despite ongoing difficulties, reaffirming his commitment to resolving the economic crisis. He specifically recalled his previous success in addressing power shortages during his prior tenure and expressed confidence in similarly overcoming current economic challenges.
Furthermore, President Mahama discussed the significant debt burden affecting infrastructure development, revealing that public debt stands at 721 billion cedis, with substantial amounts owed by state-owned enterprises. He criticized the lack of effective resource management exacerbated by recent economic policies and commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), asserting the necessity to review the IMF support program and clear outstanding debts while also finalizing workers’ minimum wage adjustments.
In summary, President Mahama’s address highlights the critical challenges facing Ghana, particularly regarding the economy and governance. Through his proposed strategies, including the reduction of ministerial positions and a commitment to transparent economic dialogue, he aims to restore fiscal stability and strengthen the government’s operational efficiency. The emphasis on resolving the public debt crisis and fostering a responsive economic environment reflects his determination to serve the nation effectively.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
