Ghana’s Mahama Returns to Presidency, Confronting Familiar Challenges.

John Dramani Mahama is set to be sworn in for his second term as Ghana’s president on Tuesday, taking on a renewed mandate to address persistent issues like corruption, high unemployment, inflation, and public discontent.

The 66-year-old opposition leader secured a decisive victory in the December 7 presidential election, marking a political comeback in the West African nation, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer. He succeeds Nana Akufo-Addo, who steps down after two terms, upholding Ghana’s reputation as a democratic beacon in a region often plagued by military coups and jihadist insurgencies.

After grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, an IMF bailout, and a sovereign debt default, Ghana’s economy has returned to growth. However, Mahama faces mounting pressure to swiftly deliver on campaign pledges to curb youth unemployment and tackle entrenched corruption—issues that have eroded public confidence in the political system.

“The average Ghanaian is growing impatient with our democracy,” said Godfred Bokpin, a finance professor at the University of Ghana. “People have voted, but they are asking: what benefits have they seen from this democracy?”

“BANDAGING OPEN WOUNDS”

Analysts and supporters of Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party view his political experience and the party’s two-thirds majority in parliament as a solid foundation to implement tough policies, improve livelihoods, and rebuild investor confidence. Yet, a looming energy crisis will pose an immediate challenge.

Mahama first became president in 2012 following the death of John Evans Atta-Mills and later won the subsequent election. However, his initial term was marked by power shortages, economic instability, and corruption allegations. Last month, he revealed that the energy sector is in crisis, with over $2.5 billion in arrears owed to service providers. The worsening situation threatens Ghana’s fragile economic recovery.

“The outgoing government kept the system running by bandaging open sores,” said Bright Simons of the Accra-based IMANI think tank. “They left the festering wounds for him.” Simons emphasized the urgency for Mahama to secure a financing deal with private power producers, who supply nearly 40% of Ghana’s electricity, while exploring long-term energy solutions.

GHANAIANS ARE HUNGRY

Mahama has pledged significant investments in agriculture and infrastructure, as well as a strong focus on fighting corruption. Experts, including Bokpin and Simons, believe that addressing corruption is key to restoring public trust. However, they stress that inflation and currency challenges must also be tackled immediately.

Inflation surged to 23.0% in November, driven largely by rising food prices.

“We can discuss skyscrapers and ambitious projects, but the reality is that the average Ghanaian is hungry. Food production must be a top priority,” Bokpin warned.

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