President John Dramani Mahama has lauded his administration for what he described as a rapid and unexpected recovery of the Ghanaian economy.

Speaking to congregants at the First Sky Group’s Thanksgiving Service in the Northern Region on Sunday, January 25, he noted that he had anticipated it would take about two years for Ghana’s economy to stabilise, but the turnaround has happened much faster than expected.

According to him, his government inherited an extremely difficult crisis which seemed impossible to overcome. However, he said the intervention of God has played a significant role in the country’s recovery.

He emphasised that the swift turnaround has left the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank surprised by the pace of Ghana’s economic recovery.

“I have done this job before, and the crisis we faced was extremely difficult. In my own estimation, I thought it would take about two years to see an economic turnaround. But this is how far God has brought us.

“We are all surprised and shocked at the speed of the recovery. Whenever I meet IMF and World Bank officials, they are amazed at what has happened in Ghana. Today, Ghana has become something of a poster child for the IMF and the World Bank.

Bringing inflation down from 23.8 per cent to 5.4 per cent within a year, and seeing the cedi appreciate by 37 per cent in the same period, can only be attributed to the grace of God,” the President added.

In a New Year message to the nation, President Mahama noted that Ghana has begun its recovery under the “Reset Ghana” agenda, and he was confident that the economy, which he inherited and which was on its knees, is now stabilising, jobs are being created, infrastructure is improving, and governance is being strengthened.

Consequently, he called for unity and collective effort for national development in 2026. Ahead of his calls, he listed six key highlights of his one-year governance as president. He stated:

“We have accomplished a lot together in the past twelve months. Through prudent management and difficult but necessary reforms, we have reduced inflation from distressing levels of 23% and above by the end of 2024, and we are hopeful of ending 2025 with inflation in the single digits, just above 5%. We have achieved relative currency stability and are on track to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025. We are accelerating economic growth and creating more opportunities for our 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, completed the renegotiation of our debt obligations on terms that protect our sovereignty while ensuring sustainability. We are beginning the process of exiting the IMF programme with dignity, not as supplicants, but as partners.”

On the targets for 2026, President Mahama added that, “We shall accelerate and expand, assuring Ghanaians that,

“In 2026… every child deserves a world-class education. We will continue digitalising our schools and ensure every classroom has the tools for 21st-century learning. We shall operationalise Universal Health Coverage through the Free Primary Health Care Programme, ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied care due to inability to pay. Through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, we will stretch a hand of support to our people suffering from non-communicable diseases. We shall make Ghana food self-sufficient and transform agriculture from subsistence to a thriving commercial enterprise through mechanisation, value addition, and market access.

We are working to achieve a 30% share of renewable energy in our national energy mix, reducing costs and protecting the environment. We shall deliver social housing units through public-private partnerships. We shall intensify the fight against corruption with no sacred cows. Every cedi belongs to the people and must be accounted for. We will implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee to make our 1992 Constitution an even greater guide for the consolidation of our democracy.”

To attain these goals, he called for national unity and collective effort to consolidate these gains in 2026, positioning Ghana for sustained growth, social protection, and renewed global leadership.

In a related development, flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, congratulated 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 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, particularly with regard to employment and his flagship programme, the 24-hour economy.

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, describing it as a challenging one for many, particularly for youth and parents. Consequently, he urged President Mahama to fulfil 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 is 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 ranking in terms of peace.Referring to the way the dismissal of 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 described 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.”