In a comprehensive one-year assessment of President John Dramani Mahama’s second administration, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has characterised the first year as a “story of promising signals constrained by structural realities”.
While praising exceptional macroeconomic stabilisation, the report highlights significant implementation gaps across governance, anti-corruption, and environmental sectors.
According to CDD, the Mahama II administration inherited a landscape of deep distrust, with only 28% of citizens trusting the presidency at the start of 2025. CDD-Ghana noted positive actions, including the publication of a Code of Conduct for appointees and the establishment of a Constitution Review Committee (CRC II).
However, the transition was marred by “vigilante violence” as NDC-affiliated groups illegally stormed public installations like Ghana Gas. The report also flagged a “transparency deficit” in the unprecedented removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, noting that the committee’s report was never made public.
In Parliament, the NDC’s two-thirds majority led to the misuse of “certificates of urgency” to fast-track legislation like the Energy Sector Levy Bill without meaningful deliberation.
The report gave the administration high marks for its “exceptional” macroeconomic stabilisation efforts after inheriting an economy under severe strain.
Local Government Funding: MMDAs received 80% of earmarked District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) monies, a massive improvement over the 40-50% average of the previous administration.
Debt and Inflation: The “Reset Agenda” focused on tackling high inflation and debt distress, though the report warned that the true test will be sustaining this through the 2027 debt repayment cycle.
Anti-Corruption: Rhetoric vs. Implementation
While President Mahama fulfilled a pledge to cap ministerial appointments at 60, the anti-corruption “Reset” faces credibility challenges.
Symbolic Actions: The launch of “Operation Recover All Loots” (ORAL) and the 2025 Code of Conduct were noted as positive steps.
Loopholes: CDD-Ghana criticised the GH₵20,000 gift threshold in the Code of Conduct as “alarmingly high,” creating potential corruption loopholes.
Selective Justice: The report noted perceptions of selective justice, with the Attorney General appearing aggressive toward the opposition while remaining lenient toward government-aligned figures.
The environmental assessment painted a grim picture of Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies:
50 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves are currently besieged by illegal mining (galamsey). In mining communities like Konongo Zongo, soil mercury levels exceed safety guidelines by 560%. The report estimated that cleaning just three river basins will cost GH¢105.4 billion.
Social Development: Restoration and Safety Nets
Social development was characterised by “restoration and stabilisation” rather than total transformation:
Education: A historic GH¢9.1bn was allocated to basic education, and the “No Academic Fee Policy” benefited over 120,000 first-year tertiary students.
Health: The National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) was uncapped, improving liquidity and reducing provider arrears.
Social Protection: LEAP beneficiary households were expanded to 400,000, with transfers now indexed to inflation.
Foreign Affairs and Defence
Ghana reasserted its continental “soft power” by appointing a Special Envoy to the Sahel and serving as an AU Champion on Reparatory Justice. However, CDD-Ghana warned of “coordination challenges” with ECOWAS and a lack of transparency in migration partnerships.
In the security sector, the transfer of the National Security budget to the Ministry of Interior was praised for fulfilling legal obligations. Yet, the report highlighted the “financially unsustainable” GH¢6m monthly cost of the Bawku Security Task Force and the continued failure to modernise equipment, as evidenced by a 2025 helicopter crash.
Overall Verdict: CDD-Ghana concludes that the “Reset” remains a work in progress, credible in its intent but uneven in its delivery.
