The 6th President of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, John Dramani Mahama, has hit the ground running with his agenda to reset Ghana and turn its economic fortune for the better.
Briefly, after he was elected president, John Dramani Mahama, then president-elect, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, established the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) team.
The ORAL team led by a Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was charged with gathering information on corruption and providing its findings to appropriate government institutions for further investigation and prosecution.
The move by the president was met with mixed feelings.
A section of the public felt the establishment of ORAL was to witch-hunt officials of the immediate past government, while others believed the move was a commitment to John Mahama’s decision to fight corruption and accomplish his ‘resetting Ghana’ campaign.
This article explores the top five economic and political moves taken by President John Dramani Mahama in his first week of office as president of the Republic of Ghana
- Revoking the appointment of all MMDCEs
On January 8, 2025, the president through a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, revoked with immediate effect the appointments of all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) appointed under the previous administration.
The statement mandated all Coordinating Directors of the various MMDAs to assume responsibilities as Chief Executives until a time substantive officers are appointed.
- Setting up a 12-member committee to avert a looming power crisis
On January 10, 2025, the president set up a 12-member committee to address the imminent power crisis capable of disrupting the country’s power supply.
The Committee is chaired by John Abdulai Jinapor. The team is charged with the duty of assessing Ghana’s energy sector and developing a roadmap to address both financial and technical issues in that regard.
- Nomination of the first set of ministers
On January 9, 2025, President John Mahama released a list of his first set of ministerial nominees. The nominees are; Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson – Minister for Finance Designate, John Abdulai Jinapor – Minister for Energy Designate, and Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine – Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Designate.
The nominations submitted to the Speaker of Parliament are per Article 78 of the 1992 Constitution.
- Reduction of Ministries size from 30 to 23
President Mahama announced a significant reduction in the number of ministries, cutting them down from 30 to 23. This decision was part of his administration’s objective to create a leaner and more efficient government, optimizing resources and improving the delivery of public services.
- Instructing the IGP to investigate and report on all election-related deaths for the 2020 and 2024 elections.
On January 10, 2025, the president, through a press release, directed the Inspector General Of Police (IGP) to with immediate effect launch an investigation into the deaths that occurred during the 2020 and 2024 elections.
Speaking at the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving, John Dramani Mahama made his order public and assured Ghanaians that his government is taking steps to restore faith in the public justice system.
