By Iddi Yire
Accra, May 08, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday night celebrated the 120th day of his second term in office touting his major achievements in a live broadcast message to Ghanaians.
The President said it was a day that he specifically noted on their calendar to come before the people of Ghana, to account for the critical first steps they promised to take in their initial months in office.
“Our campaign was anchored on the vision of “Building the Ghana we want together,” and our manifesto, “Resetting Ghana,” laid out a bold yet pragmatic plan for national recovery and transformation,” he said.
“Central to this plan was a social contract for the first 120 days—a set of specific, actionable promises designed to enable us to hit the ground running and signal our unwavering commitment to change.”
President Mahama said their first 120 days had been defined by decisive action, a commitment to transparency, and a relentless focus on laying the foundation for building the Ghana they want—a just, prosperous, and united Ghana.
Highlighting on the progress his administration had made on the specific commitments outlined in the 120-day Social Contract, the President said he had kept his promise to nominate the complete list of Cabinet Ministers for parliamentary approval within the first 14 days and to constitute the leanest and most efficient government under the Fourth Republic within the first 90 days.
He said the Ministerial Nominees were all successfully vetted and approved and had hit the ground running.
“Indeed, I have appointed only 56 ministers and deputies so far – the smallest number of ministers and deputies appointed by any government in the Fourth Republic.”
He said they had also nominated Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives, and that they were going through various phases of confirmation to complete the formation of his governance team at the local level.
President Mahama also listed the establishment of a Robust Code of Conduct, the holding a National Economic Dialogue, Launch the ‘Black Star Experience’ Tourism Initiative, reviewing taxes on Industrial and Agricultural Imports, the commencement of the 24-Hour Economy Policy, convening a National Consultative Conference on Education, commencement of Distribution of Free Sanitary Pads, and banning Illegal Mining in Forest Reserves and Rolling Out Environmental Initiatives.
Touching on introducing Social Interventions, the President mentioned the launching of the Free Tertiary Education for People with Disabilities (PWDs) and the Mahama Cares Programme.
On fighting corruption and criminal investigations, President Mahama mentioned the instituting Inquiries and Forensic Audits, re-opening of Investigations into Major Unresolved Criminal Cases and commencing Investigative Processes into Security Agencies.
He said they had kept their promise to establish an Accelerated Export Development Council (AEDC) to promote exports as a key strategy for economic transformation; saying “on Monday, I inaugurated a 19-member Accelerated Export Development Advisory Committee, which I chair myself”.
With regards to scraping draconian taxes, the President said to alleviate hardships and ease the high cost of doing business, he promised to scrap the E-levy, COVID levy, 10 per cent levy on bet winnings, and the Emissions levy within his first 90 days.
“These tax and expenditure measures were central to our 2025 Budget Statement. On April 2, 2025, I signed several bills into law, including the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) Repeal Bill 2025, the Emissions Levy Repeal Bill, and the Betting Tax.
“My Fellow Ghanaians, this has been a comprehensive account of our actions in the first 120 days of my administration,” President Mahama stated.
“We laid out a social contract with you, the people of Ghana, with specific promises for this critical initial period. Tonight, I report that we have fulfilled these promises.”
He said these actions here not merely checkboxes on a list; stating that they signify a fundamental shift in how government operates – with transparency, accountability, efficiency, and a profound sense of urgency for the well-being of every Ghanaian.
“This journey requires the collective effort of all. I am profoundly grateful for the mandate you have given me and my government,” the President said.
He appealed to Ghanaians to continue to work together, united by purpose and a shared vision, to overcome challenges and build a brighter, more prosperous future for their beloved nation.
GNA
KOA