President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that he assumed office at a time when Ghana was facing severe economic strain and a governance system close to breakdown.
He said the condition of the country at the time of his swearing-in on January 7, 2025, required swift and far-reaching action to halt further decline.
The President made the remarks during his three-day official visit to Zambia, where he engaged with members of the Ghanaian community resident in the country.
Speaking to the gathering, President Mahama reflected on the circumstances under which his administration took over and outlined the magnitude of the challenges inherited from the previous government.
He noted that Ghana was contending with deep economic hardships, as well as widespread difficulties in critical sectors such as health, education and agriculture.
According to him, the situation was worsened by the country’s debt crisis, which had severely weakened investor confidence and cut off access to international financial markets.
“We took over a country that was unwell. The economy was in distress and the system of governance had virtually broken down. There were serious challenges in health, education and agriculture, and on top of that, Ghana had defaulted on its debt. Our debt-to-GDP ratio had climbed beyond 100 per cent, and lenders were no longer willing to support us,” he said.
President Mahama explained that these realities shaped the core message of his campaign during the 2024 general elections.
He said his administration was candid with the public about the depth of the problems facing the country and emphasised that only a comprehensive reset—not temporary measures—could restore economic stability and institutional effectiveness.
According to the President, his return to office was driven not just by the desire to win power, but by a commitment to rebuild and reset Ghana’s economy and governance structures to put the nation back on a sustainable path.
Source:
oyerepafmonline.com
