In his New Year address to the nation, the President said the country had emerged from severe distress inherited at the start of his administration and was now on a path of recovery anchored in discipline, credibility and renewed confidence.

“One year ago, we inherited a nation in distress. An economy on its knees, unemployment crushing our youth, infrastructure crumbling, public trust eroded, and hope dimming in the eyes of our people,” President Mahama said, adding, “At the dawn of the New Year, I stand before you to say, our beloved nation, Ghana, is rising again.”

Reflecting on his first year in office, ahead of the anniversary of his swearing-in, the President described his pledge to reset the country as a binding commitment rather than political rhetoric. “I can confirm that the promise of renewal we made was not mere rhetoric. It was a covenant. And we have begun to deliver on that covenant,” he said.

President Mahama pointed to macroeconomic gains as evidence of progress, noting a sharp reduction in inflation and improving currency performance. He said inflation, which stood at “23% and above by the end of 2024”, had been significantly reduced, with government hopeful of ending 2025 “in the single digits, just above 5%”.

He also said Ghana had achieved relative currency stability and was on course to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025, while business confidence had been restored, resulting in increased domestic and foreign direct investment.

On debt and international relations, the President said Ghana had successfully renegotiated its debt obligations “on terms that protect our sovereignty while ensuring sustainability” and was beginning the process of exiting the IMF programme “with dignity, not as supplicants, but as partners”.

President Mahama said economic recovery was translating into growth across key sectors, including construction, manufacturing, agriculture and services, creating new employment opportunities for young people, whom he described as Ghana’s greatest resource.

He announced that infrastructure rehabilitation was underway nationwide, with over 2,000 kilometres of roads being worked on, alongside the restoration of consistent electricity supply and the expansion of rural electrification to more than 1,000 additional communities.

Beyond domestic reforms, the President said Ghana’s international standing had been strengthened by the Reset Agenda, which he described as “a new way of looking at things both domestically and globally”. 

He highlighted the Accra Reset Initiative, unveiled at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, as a framework for reforming global governance systems to address inequalities affecting Africa and the Global South.

“This is our moment. This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” he said, stressing Ghana’s commitment to African-led solutions and democratic governance. He added, “We in Ghana have proved in 2025 that democracy works, that peaceful transitions of power strengthen us rather than weaken us.”

Looking ahead to 2026, President Mahama said the achievements of 2025 were only the foundation for a more ambitious phase of national development. He announced plans to accelerate digitalisation in education, operationalise universal health coverage through the Free Primary Health Care Programme, and support patients with non-communicable diseases through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

He also pledged to transform agriculture into a commercial enterprise, increase renewable energy to 30 per cent of the national energy mix, deliver social housing through public private partnerships and intensify the fight against corruption with “no sacred cows”.

“We shall intensify the fight against corruption with no sacred cows. Every cedi belongs to the people and must be accounted for,” he said.

The President further announced plans to implement recommendations from the Constitution Review Committee to strengthen Ghana’s democratic framework.

In a direct appeal to various segments of society, President Mahama called on young people to take ownership of the Reset Agenda, urging them to “innovate, create and build”. He assured entrepreneurs of a conducive business environment, encouraged civil society and the media to continue holding government accountable, and called on traditional and faith leaders to help strengthen social cohesion.

Addressing political divisions, he stressed national unity above partisanship. “There is no NPP Ghana. There is no CPP Ghana or NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana,” he said, urging Ghanaians to reject divisive politics and embrace nation-building.

President Mahama concluded by expressing optimism about the country’s future, saying, “This is not wishful thinking. This is the Ghana we are building together. This is the Ghana that is within our reach.”