President John Dramani Mahama has stated that his team had built a solid economic foundation in 2025 and pledged to work hard to accelerate and expand it in 2026.
“My dear compatriots, as satisfying as our achievements of 2025 are, they are but the foundation. The architecture of the Ghana we want must now be built on this foundation. In 2026, we shall accelerate and expand,” President Mahama declared.
This optimism was contained in his televised New Year’s message he delivered on January 1, 2026.
Since taking over the helm of affairs on January 7, 2025, inflation has declined from 23 per cent to 6.3 in November, and the local currency, the Ghana Cedi, appreciation by 40.6 per cent against the US dollar over the period amongst other positive economic indicators.
The indices, President Mahama said were accelerating economic growth and creating opportunities for Ghana’s young people.
“We have restored business confidence and have seen a significant increase in both domestic and foreign direct investment. We have restored Ghana’s credibility with international partners, successfully completed the renegotiation of our debt obligations on terms that protect our sovereignty while ensuring sustainability,” he stated.
“This is our moment. This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” he emphasised.
To fellow African countries, President Mahama said Ghana’s story was part of Africa’s renaissance, noting that the challenges faced were not unique, but the common inheritance of shared history and the collective responsibility of a shared future.
“We in Ghana have proved in 2025 that democracy works, that peaceful transitions of power strengthen us rather than weaken us, and that African solutions to African problems are not just slogans but achievable realities. As Ghana rises, we extend our hands to our neighbours and partners across Africa. Together, we shall build the Africa we want,” he underlined.
According to President Mahama, government is beginning the process of ending the three-year extended credit facility agreement with the International Monetary Fund with “dignity, not as supplicants, but as partners” .
Ghana’s image in the international community, he noted, has been positively boosted by Government’s “world-acclaimed” Reset Agenda which involves a new way of looking at things both domestically and globally; an agenda which is delivering a leaner and more efficient administration, greater accountability and a reenergised fight against corruption.
Additionally, President Mahama assured that government would continue to keep a tab on the economy in order to ensure it delivered in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, and energy, amongst others.
He said government would see through the amendment of the 1992 to make it a greater guide for the consolidation of Ghana’s democracy.
With a rallying call on the youth, entrepreneurs and business leaders, civil society, media, watchdog institutions, traditional leaders and faith-based communities, public servants, and the diaspora community, he stated that, “governments do not build nations alone. They do that with the citizenry”.
In the view of President Mahama, Ghana and its citizens have only one destiny; a wish to see the country progress irrespective of political, religious or ethnic considerations.
“Let us reject the politics of division and embrace the patriotism of nation-building. Let us disagree without being disagreeable. Let us compete in the marketplace of ideas without treating our opponents as enemies. The challenges we face are too urgent, and the opportunities before us are too precious for us to waste time and energy on needless conflict,” he preached.
President Mahama envisaged a Ghana where every child achieves their dreams, hard work rewarded, corruption punished, young people given the opportunity, senior citizens live in dignity, the sick are cared for, the vulnerable protected, and a country respected for the quality of its democracy, the vibrancy of its economy, and the character of its people.
“This is not wishful thinking. This is the Ghana we are building together. This is the Ghana that is within our reach.
As we enter 2026, let us move forward with confidence, determination, and faith. Faith in God, faith in Ghana, and faith in ourselves,” he rallied.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
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