In a televised New Year address to the nation on January 1, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama announced that Ghana has successfully overcome a phase of economic “distress” and is now entering a crucial stage of “acceleration and expansion”.
Commemorating nearly one year since his inauguration, the President described 2025 as a year characterized by “prudent management” and “difficult but necessary reforms” that have established a strong foundation for the nation’s future.
President Mahama emphasized a remarkable improvement in Ghana’s macroeconomic indicators over the past twelve months. According to his address, the administration has effectively:
1. Curbed Inflation: Reduced from levels exceeding 23% at the end of 2024 to a projected single-digit figure of just above 5% by the end of 2025.
2. Stabilised Currency: Achieved relative stability for the Cedi, aiming for it to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025.
3. Debt Sustainability: Successfully renegotiated debt obligations to ensure long-term sustainability while safeguarding national sovereignty.
4. IMF Exit: Initiated the process of exiting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme as “partners,” rather than “supplicants”.
He remarked that these reforms have reinstated both domestic and foreign investor confidence, resulting in significant growth in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
A central theme of the address was the “Reset Agenda,” a framework aimed at promoting accountability and efficiency within the government. Domestically, this agenda has already led to the rehabilitation of over 2,000 kilometres of roads and the expansion of electricity access to more than 1,000 rural communities.
On the international stage, Mahama introduced the “Accra Reset Initiative“ during the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly. He described this as a global framework to tackle inequalities in the international system and create greater opportunities for the Global South.
“This is our moment. This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” stated the President, highlighting that Ghana’s recovery acts as a model for “African solutions to African problems”.
The 2026 Roadmap: Health, Education, and Energy
With the groundwork established in 2025, President Mahama presented several ambitious objectives for the upcoming year aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all citizens, which include:
Healthcare and Social Support
Free Primary Health Care: The government will implement Universal Health Coverage, guaranteeing that no Ghanaian is denied medical care due to financial constraints.
Medical Trust Fund: A new fund will be created to assist citizens afflicted by non-communicable diseases.
Education and Technology
Digitalisation: The administration intends to continue the digitalisation of schools to equip every classroom with the necessary tools for 21st-century education.
Energy and Agriculture
Renewable Energy: A goal has been established to achieve a 30% share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, aimed at reducing costs and safeguarding the environment.
Food Self-Sufficiency: A transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture will be pursued through mechanisation and improved market access.
President Mahama concluded his address with a compelling call for patriotism over partisanship. He encouraged the youth to embrace the “Reset Agenda” and urged the diaspora to return with their skills and resources.
“There is no NPP Ghana. There is no CPP Ghana or NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana,” Mahama asserted.
He committed to fostering a supportive environment for businesses and vowed to escalate the battle against corruption with “no sacred cows,” ensuring that every cedi is properly accounted for.
