In his 120-day social contract with Ghanaians, President John Mahama has made significant strides, completing 72% of his 25 major commitments within the self-imposed time limit.
Eighteen of the pledges have been fully accomplished, according to a thorough media review, while the remaining seven are still being worked on or are awaiting legislation.
In government quarters, these accomplishments have been hailed as a return of the voters’ trust in President Mahama in December of last year.
Transmission
Additionally, while the administration emphasized its achievements in respect to the 120-day social contract in a live broadcast across many media yesterday night, it alluded to both a sense of satisfaction and humility in acknowledging that its goals have not yet been entirely met.
During the broadcast, the President’s voice had a familiar tone of sobriety and a strong sense of purpose, but it also reflected a humbling understanding that he was responsible for the fate of thousands of young people in particular.
It was a movie of events that encapsulated the 120 days of President Mahama’s current term. It included events that were especially pertinent to his promise to turn the nation from a state of decline to one of fulfillment, such as the signing of legislation to end the betting tax and the Electronic Transaction Levy, the introduction of programs aimed at improving employment prospects for young people, and more.
It also included stories from street people who expressed their opinions about his character, vision, empathy for the common man, and feeling of responsibility to his position as president.
Activities
President John Dramani Mahama promised the country yesterday that he would bring concrete achievements to lift the country out of its gloom and into blossom, make corruption unappealing, and punish those who embezzle from the public coffers as he reported on his 120 days in office.
He said, for example, that international audit company Deloitte and Touche was auditing the National Cathedral’s financial obligations, which had been put on hold, and that ongoing investigations into the African Games spending had interrogated a number of prominent figures.
He said that unsolved violent events and killings had been opened in order to provide victims with justice, and that audits and inquiries into recruiting into the security forces were also proceeding.
As his government approached the 120-day mark, President Mahama told the populace that accounting was not just a way to check boxes but also a step toward a more serious view of what responsible governance should be.
Successes
The elimination of a number of controversial taxes, such as the Electronic Transaction Levy, or E-levy, and the 10% tax on winnings from betting, was one of the President’s first accomplishments and provided instant relief to both citizens and companies.
Along with holding the National Education Forum in Ho, where stakeholders and experts exchanged views on how to maintain and enhance a development-oriented policy for the sector, the government also organized a National Economic Dialogue to build a sustainable budgetary plan.
The government has finalized a strict Code of Conduct for public officials, which was first introduced at the Presidency this week, in an effort to increase accountability.
An important step in reducing corruption was taken when that legislation included a directive that prohibited all government appointees from purchasing public assets including real estate, cars, and stock.
Progress in social welfare
As promised, President Mahama has expanded free postsecondary education to those with disabilities and instituted a tuition-free program for first-year students at public tertiary institutions.
creation of jobs
With the swearing-in of its advisory committee last Monday, the recently formed Accelerated Export Development Council is ready to boost Ghana’s export industry.
Initiatives to create jobs, such “Adwumawura” and the National Youth Employment Program, have also gained momentum and are now giving thousands of young Ghanaians possibilities.
A number of important projects are still ongoing, such as changes to the Customs Act that would remove limitations on salvaged automobiles and a review of car import duties to aid industry and farmers.
Initial payments for compensation to victims of the Akosombo Dam catastrophe are anticipated soon.
While long-dormant cases, such as the murder of journalist Ahmed Suale, have been revived for further inquiry, attempts are underway to eradicate vigilante influence inside state authorities.
However, the size of the battle against illicit mining presents a challenge to the government, as the sophisticated network of environmental crime actors has shown to be a formidable foe in the past four months.
This is despite the government’s stringent prohibition on illicit mining in forest reserves and the implementation of countermeasures like the “Blue Water Initiative” and “Tree for Life” to encourage environmental sustainability and reduce the prevalence of illicit mining.
On May 1, the main tourist project “Black Star Experience” was successfully inaugurated at Black Star Square, signifying a renewed effort to highlight Ghana’s rich cultural legacy.
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