President-elect Mahama of Ghana Unveils Ambitious Policies for Development
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Accra, Dec 15 (NationPress) After achieving a significant electoral win that signifies his return to the presidency, Ghana's President-elect John Dramani Mahama has detailed 26 essential policies he intends to enact within his first 120 days in office.
In a document titled "Mahama's First 120 Days: A Social Contract with the People of Ghana," the incoming president reveals his strategy to appoint all cabinet ministers within 14 days post-swearing-in for approval, and to establish "the leanest government" within the initial three months. Mahama is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 7, according to reports from the Xinhua news agency.
Addressing Ghana's economic hurdles will be a primary focus for Mahama's administration. To combat the nation's severe economic conditions, the president-elect plans to host a national economic dialogue to evaluate the economy and create a fiscal consolidation program that will shape the 2025 budget.
Among his initiatives, Mahama has pledged to launch a 24-hour economy. This initiative, which he advocated during his campaign, will prioritize drafting necessary legal amendments and preparing for its implementation. According to the 2024 manifesto of the National Democratic Congress, which Mahama leads, the 24-hour economy aims to foster economic growth by enabling businesses and public institutions to operate continuously in three eight-hour shifts. This policy seeks to rejuvenate the Ghanaian economy and generate sustainable, well-paying jobs.
To tackle youth unemployment, Mahama plans to introduce several priority job creation initiatives in his first budget, including a national apprenticeship program and the "One Million Coders" initiative. Additionally, an accelerated export development council will be launched to enhance exports as part of a comprehensive strategy for economic transformation.
As part of his efforts to alleviate the financial strain on Ghanaians, Mahama's administration will also eliminate several levies, such as the electronic levy and the 10 percent levy on betting winnings. Furthermore, he will reassess taxes and levies on vehicles and equipment imported for industrial and agricultural purposes.
In the realm of education, Mahama has committed to organizing a national consultative conference within his first four months in office to forge consensus on necessary reforms. His administration will also implement a "no-academic fee" policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions and provide free tertiary education for all individuals with disabilities. Moreover, his government will distribute free sanitary pads to female students in all primary and secondary schools nationwide.
To encourage good governance, Mahama intends to introduce a code of conduct and establish standards for all government officials. He will also implement a policy forbidding political appointees from acquiring state assets during his first 120 days.
On December 7, Ghanaians cast their votes to elect a president and 276 parliamentary members. According to the Electoral Commission, Mahama secured 56.55 percent of the total valid votes from 267 of the 276 constituencies, officially declaring him the winner of the presidential election.
In his acceptance speech on Monday, shortly after being declared president-elect, Mahama vowed to execute significant governance reforms and potentially rigorous measures over the next four years to realign the nation.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated a joint transition team on Wednesday to ensure a seamless transfer of power to the incoming administration.
