Economic Crisis and Governance Failures Marked My Return to Office - Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has said that when he assumed office, his government was met with a nation facing serious economic hardship and weakened governance structures that required immediate and wide-ranging reforms.

He explained that the condition of the country at the time of his inauguration on January 7, 2025, left little room for delay, as urgent action was needed to prevent further decline.

President Mahama made the remarks while engaging with Ghanaians living in Zambia during his three-day official state visit.

Reflecting on the transition into office, he described the scale of the challenges his administration inherited, noting that the economy was in crisis and critical sectors such as health, education, and agriculture were under severe strain.

He added that Ghana’s heavy debt burden had damaged investor confidence and cut the country off from many international financial markets.

“We took over a nation that was seriously unwell. The economy was struggling, governance systems were weak, and there were deep problems across health, education and agriculture. Above all, we had defaulted on our debt, with the debt-to-GDP ratio rising beyond 100 percent, making it difficult for Ghana to secure new financing,” the President stated.

He explained that these realities shaped his campaign message during the 2024 elections, as his team made it clear to voters that the country required a comprehensive reset rather than minor adjustments.

“Our aim was not just to win political power, but to reset Ghana — much like rebooting a computer — so that every sector could function properly again,” he added.

President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the nation’s institutions and restoring economic stability as part of a broader national recovery agenda.