H.E John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) historic defeat in the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections marked the end of a tumultuous eight-year governance period that weakened many state institutions and eroded public trust. Ghanaians have overwhelmingly entrusted the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President John Dramani Mahama with the mandate to “Reset Ghana.” However, it is essential to clarify that repairing the damage caused during the NPP’s tenure cannot be accomplished overnight.
Between January 7, 2017, and January 7, 2025, the NPP’s governance was plagued by mismanagement, corruption, and poor governance, as evidenced by data from independent anti-corruption, good governance, and human rights institutions. The following state institutions suffered significantly due to this mismanagement, with reports revealing the extent of the challenges:
1. Ghana Audit Service:
Numerous reports from the Audit Service uncovered significant financial irregularities during the NPP administration. The 2021 Auditor-General’s Report highlighted unaccounted funds exceeding GH₵12 billion across ministries, departments, and agencies. Misappropriation of COVID-19 funds, inflated procurement contracts, and uncompleted projects contributed to massive economic leakage (Source: Audit Service 2021 Report).
2. Public Procurement Authority (PPA):
The “Contracts for Sale” scandal in 2019 shook the foundation of public trust. The then PPA CEO was implicated in selling government-awarded contracts to private entities for personal gain. An investigation by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) confirmed gross misconduct and conflict of interest (Source: CHRAJ Report on PPA Scandal).
3. Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA):
The GRA faced inefficiencies and corruption, as revealed in a 2022 investigation by the Ghana Integrity Initiative. The report disclosed revenue shortfalls due to tax evasion and internal collusion, resulting in more than GH₵5 billion in lost revenue. These lapses hindered the government’s ability to fund crucial social interventions (Source: Report).
4. Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG):
Under the NPP, ECG encountered considerable operational challenges, resulting in widespread power outages and financial losses. A 2023 report by the Institute for Energy Security (IES) revealed mismanagement of power purchase agreements and uncollected debts totaling GH₵3.8 billion. These failures worsened the energy sector’s issues (Source: IES Report 2023).
5. Judicial Service of Ghana:
A report by Amnesty International Ghana in 2021 exposed delays in justice delivery and human rights violations due to systemic corruption within the judiciary. The study uncovered instances of bribery, political interference, and unfair rulings that undermined public confidence in the judiciary (Source: Amnesty International 2021 Report).
The collective mismanagement and acts of poor governance under the NPP created a dire economic and institutional landscape. Having endured years of hardships, the Ghanaian people entrusted the NDC with a mandate for change. However, it is crucial to caution President Mahama and his appointees against complacency or failing to fulfill the social contract established in the NDC’s 2024 Manifesto.
A Caution to President Mahama and His Team
The overwhelming mandate given to the NDC is not a blank check; it is a call to action. Ghanaians demand accountability, transparency, and tangible results. The failures of the previous NPP-led government serve as a warning: if the NDC does not fulfill its ‘Social Contract’ with the Ghanaian people, it risks facing a more severe electoral defeat than that suffered by the NPP in 2024.
As a matter of urgency, President Mahama and his appointees must prioritize the following:
1. Restore Public Confidence: Implement anti-corruption measures and ensure transparency in all dealings.
2. Strengthen Institutions: Rebuild state institutions to function independently and efficiently.
3. Deliver Tangible Results: Focus on economic recovery, job creation, and improving social services to meet the expectations of the people.
The road to “Resetting Ghana” is arduous, yet the NDC-led government cannot afford to fail. The trust of the masses is sacred, and any misstep could betray those who fought bravely for change, potentially leading to the NDC’s most significant electoral defeat in December 2028. President Mahama and his appointees must remember that leadership is about service, not self-interest.
They must rise above complacency and self-interest, focusing on their “Resetting Ghana” agenda. Ghanaians have repeatedly shown through their votes that they can choose hope over despair, but this hope is fragile. It is now up to the NDC-led government to justify the trust placed in them.
By Kweku Abeeku, January 24, 2025.