Flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has congratulated incumbent President John Dramani Mahama for his first year in office since his takeover following the December 2024 elections.

The former vice president sent the congratulatory message in a New Year message shared on January 1, 2026, through his official social media platforms (Facebook and X/Twitter). He highlighted several other national issues, including the need to uphold the country’s democracy and called on President Mahama to deliver on his promise to the Ghanaian youth as far as employment and his flagship programme, the 24-hour economy, are concerned.

According to him, the mandate the president has earned was given to him by the good people of Ghana to promote livelihoods and ensure safety and growth, hence the need for President Mahama to guard it jealously and deliver to the utmost satisfaction of the people.

He said, “A lot has happened since 7th December 2024, and I know many of us continue to reflect on it every day. I congratulate President John Dramani Mahama on his first year in office, and I sincerely wish him well in the discharge of his mandate. The Ghanaian people have bestowed a sacred trust on him, and he cannot afford to fail them. I therefore urge him to continue to guard the peace, stability, and unity of our nation jealously. Ghana has always stood out as a beacon in a region that has seen too much turmoil and instability.”

He went on to address the plight of some citizens over the last year, labelling it as a challenging one for some, particularly for youth and parents. Consequently, he urged President Mahama to fulfill his promise of providing jobs to the youth populace through the 24-hour economy.

The NDC government’s proposed “24‑Hour Economy” is designed to expand economic activity beyond the traditional 8 a.m.–5 p.m. workday, to create millions of jobs and improve wages. It’s aimed at transforming Ghana’s labour market by creating 1.7 million employment opportunities and improving wages.

The former vice president noted, “A new year gives us a pause, a moment to reflect on where we are coming from, the choices we have made, and the future we still hope to build together with quiet thought and renewed resolve. I know that for many Ghanaians, the past year has not been easy. Parents have worried about providing for their families, and unemployed young people have wondered when the 24-hour economy will provide the promised jobs.”

According to him, the president is expected to deliver on his promise and promote stability and growth as he inherited a strong economy from the erstwhile government, of which he was a major part.

“The foundation President Mahama inherited was solid in many ways. It is imperative that we build on it and not let it slip. I say this because this matters more now than ever,” he added.

A major highlight in the presidential aspirant’s message was his concern about the country’s rank in terms of peace.

Referring to the way the dismissal of the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo was handled, Dr Bawumia stated that Ghana, which has maintained a reputation as a beacon of democracy and peace, has now fallen six places in the 2025 Global Peace Index, a drop he labels as “gaping cracks.”

“You may have heard about the results of the 2025 Global Peace Index. Ghana has dropped six places to 61st in the world, and from fourth to seventh in sub-Saharan Africa. These results point to growing security worries and pockets of unrest in the country. One of Ghana's greatest strengths since the inception of the Fourth Republic has been the independence and credibility of our democratic institutions. The world looks at us and says, ‘This is how democracy should work.’ But in the course of the year, we have seen gaping cracks appearing.

“For example, the manner in which Ghana's third female Chief Justice was hounded out of office in fulfilment of a campaign pledge hurt many of us who believe in the independence of the judiciary. Let me stress unequivocally that when institutions are weakened, democracy is weakened. When institutions are politicised, trust is lost. Ghana's democracy must never be sacrificed on the altar of short-term political advantage. There can be no turning back for our nation,” Dr Bawumia continued.

He continued, “Many Ghanaians have expressed concern about the direction of our national cohesion and the strength of our democratic institutions. These concerns should not be dismissed. When citizens begin to worry about fairness, independence, and consistency, confidence is affected. And when confidence is shaken, progress becomes harder.”

In light of these setbacks, Dr Bawumia stated that, “I therefore respectfully advise President Mahama to focus on strengthening, not undermining, the institutions that underpin our democratic order.”

Meanwhile, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in August 2025 revealed a downturn in Ghana’s unemployment rate, which currently stands at 13.1% as of the end of 2024.

Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, in a video shared on the Service’s Facebook page, said, “The national unemployment rate declined from 13.3% in quarter three of 2024 to 13.1% in quarter four.”

The figures are captured in the latest Quarterly Labour Statistics Report of the Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES), which was released on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

According to the report, 409,000 new jobs were created in the last quarter of 2024. Despite this growth, the Ghana Statistical Service has expressed concern about the expansion of the informal sector compared to the formal sector.

“Employment is growing, but too many jobs remain informal and insecure. The disparities, especially among young people, are still stark,” Dr Iddrisu stressed.

The report also acknowledged that youth unemployment remains a pressing concern, with 32% of those aged 15–24 jobless in 2024, 22.5% in the 15–35 bracket, and young people making up seven out of ten unemployed Ghanaians.

To tackle the challenge, Dr Iddrisu proposed strengthening apprenticeship and placement schemes, tailoring TVET reforms to labour market demands, and widening access to affordable credit for small enterprises. He further appealed to the private sector to create structured internships and entry-level jobs and encouraged development partners to channel investments into rural employment and scalable youth-focused initiatives.

“Addressing youth and long-term unemployment, bridging regional disparities, and formalising informal work must remain urgent national priorities,” he added.

Unemployment and youth unemployment are among the major issues the incumbent government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, seeks to address to aid the recovery of the Ghanaian economy.

In light of this, the government has introduced several initiatives, including the Adwumawura Programme, to fight youth unemployment and boost entrepreneurship. President John Dramani Mahama, on Monday, April 28, launched the programme at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi.

The Adwumawura Programme, according to its design, will “create, mentor, and support at least 10,000 businesses annually,” focusing specifically on young people aged 18 to 35. Participants will benefit from skills training, mentorship, start-up capital, and equipment to help them build sustainable businesses.