President John Dramani Mahama says his government is making strong progress on its 120-Day Social Contract, delivering on about 72% of the promises he made to Ghanaians at the start of his second term.
It’s been just over two months since he was sworn in on January 7, 2025, and according to the presidency, 16 out of 25 priority actions are already completed or well underway.
From economic relief to social support and environmental action, here’s what’s already making a difference:
- Scrapping Unpopular Taxes
The government has removed several taxes that had sparked public frustration including the E-Levy, a 10% tax on bet winnings, and the emissions levy. The goal: put more money back into people’s pockets and make it easier for businesses to grow. - Support for Vulnerable Groups
New programs have been launched to provide free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, distribute free sanitary pads to girls in school, and set up a ‘Mahama Cares’ medical fund to help those in need get the care they deserve. - Tackling Unemployment
With youth unemployment still high, the government has started rolling out job programs like ‘Adwumawura’, the National Apprenticeship Programme, and the One Million Coders Programme to give people skills and job opportunities. - Protecting the Environment
The Environmental Protection Agency has been tasked with cracking down on illegal mining, especially in protected forests and water bodies part of the push to preserve the environment for future generations. - Slimmer Government, Faster Action
Mahama has appointed 56 out of 60 ministers and deputies, promising what he calls the “leanest and most efficient” government under the Fourth Republic.
A 19-member task force led by Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, the President’s senior advisor, is keeping tabs on implementation.
The team includes key ministers and advisors who meet regularly to track progress and solve bottlenecks.
While a lot has been ticked off, there are still a few big-ticket items in motion:
- The much-anticipated 24-Hour Economy is being fleshed out legally.
- A code of conduct for public officials is in the works to boost transparency.
- The government is looking to ban political appointees from buying state assets, a move aimed at curbing insider abuse.
- A full review of laws allowing mining in forest reserves is underway.
- And efforts to revive state-owned enterprises that have been losing money are in progress.
With about 47 days left in the 120-day timeframe, the President and his team say they’re focused on completing the rest of the plan and keeping Ghanaians informed every step of the way.
“This is just the beginning,” a senior aide said. “We’re building momentum for long-term reforms, but we promised to start fast and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
For Ghanaians, the next few weeks will show whether this pace can be kept and whether the remaining promises can be turned into real change.
By: J.W Quarm
