Mahama's 120-day Social Contract: So far, so fulfilling

President John Dramani Mahama is racing against time to fulfill his 120-day social contract to the people of Ghana.

With 73 days gone since his inauguration on January 7, he has made significant progress, completing or making palpable progress in 16 of the 25 promises made.

The clock is ticking, and the President is determined to deliver on his promises ahead of schedule.

By the time his Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, presented the government's first national budget and economic policies covering 2025 to Parliament on March 11, some 69 days out of the 120 had passed since he was sworn into office.

This amounts to a little over half of the entire time span the President had allotted to him and his newly installed government to resume delivery on the 25 policy initiatives he had promised prior to his inauguration.

President Mahama has made significant progress in fulfilling his promises, including scrapping draconian taxes such as E-levy, 10 per cent levy on bet winnings and the emissions levy.

This move is expected to alleviate hardships and ease the high cost of doing business in Ghana.

He has also introduced free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, the Ghana Medical Care Trust (Mahama Cares) Fund, and distribution of free sanitary pads to female students.

Additionally, seed money has been allocated for priority job creation programmes, including the 'Adwumawura' Programme, 'National Apprenticeship Programme', and 'One Million Coders Programme'.

Furthermore, President Mahama has nominated and secured parliamentary approval for 42 ministers, including cabinet, regional, and non-cabinet ministers.

This is an unprecedented achievement in Ghana's recent history. He has also made progress in forming the "Leanest and Most Efficient" government under the Fourth Republic within 90 days. In just 30 days, he had appointed 56 out of the planned 60 ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees.

To address illegal mining, President Mahama directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to immediately halt illegal mining in forests and water bodies.

This move is expected to protect Ghana's environment and preserve its natural resources. 

Economic dialogue

He has also ordered the Inspector General of Police to reopen investigations into cases of electoral violence from both the 2020 and 2024 elections.

Moreover, he has established a seven-member planning committee to design the framework for a National Economic Dialogue, which was subsequently held successfully on March 3-4.

The National Economic Dialogue was a significant milestone in President Mahama's administration, as it brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the state of the economy and propose solutions to the challenges facing the country.

The dialogue was successful, despite a boycott by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Despite the progress made, there are still controversies surrounding the definition of "fulfillment" of promises.

The biggest debate relates to the President's flagship 24-hour economy initiative, which requires logistical complexities to be addressed.

Dr Forson has informed Parliament that the government will send five key legislations for amendment to accommodate the policy from a legal standpoint.

There are also nine promises with unclear status, including a Code of Conduct for public officials, the establishment of an Accelerated Export Development Council, a ban on political appointees from buying state assets, the reversal of the law allowing mining in forest reserves, the removal of political party militia from recruitment into the state's security services, and the restructuring of loss-making state-owned enterprises.

Hajj village

President Mahama's recent achievement of cutting the sod for the construction of a permanent village on the Spintex road, near the airport, to ease the burden of  Muslims embarking on Hajj is a notable initiative.

This project aims to provide a convenient and comfortable location for Muslims to prepare for their pilgrimage to Mecca.

The village, which will be located on the Spintex road, near the airport, will likely provide various amenities to support pilgrims, including accommodation, food and medical facilities.

The proximity of the village to the airport will also reduce the stress and hassle associated with travelling to the airport for departure.

The construction of the permanent village is also expected to have economic benefits, as it will create jobs and stimulate local economic activity.

Additionally, the village will serve as a symbol of Ghana's religious tolerance and diversity, promoting unity and understanding among people of different faiths.

President Mahama and his government have shown commitment to delivering on promises ahead of schedule, despite the challenges.

With 57 days left to fulfill his social contract, only time will tell if he will successfully complete all 25 promises. 

Enduring legacy

However, one thing is certain - President Mahama is determined to leave a lasting legacy and make a significant impact on the lives of Ghanaians.

The President's commitment to transparency and accountability has been demonstrated through the establishment of a website to track the progress of his promises.

The website provides regular updates on the status of each promise, allowing citizens to hold the government accountable.

In addition, President Mahama has also established a committee to oversee the implementation of his promises.

The committee is composed of representatives from various sectors, including civil society, the private sector and government agencies.

This committee will provide an additional layer of accountability and ensure that the President's promises are fulfilled.

As the clock ticks, Ghanaians will be watching closely to see if President Mahama will successfully complete all 25 promises and make a lasting impact on the country.

The President's commitment to delivering on his promises has generated a lot of excitement and expectation among Ghanaians.

If he is able to fulfill all his promises, it will be a significant achievement and a major boost to his administration.

Significant progress

President Mahama's administration has made significant progress in fulfilling his 120-day social contract.

While there are still challenges to be addressed, the President's commitment to delivering on his promises is evident.

With 51 days left to fulfill his social contract, President Mahama is really determined to deliver on his promises. 

This will likely send a strong signal to the international community that Ghana is a country that is committed to good governance, transparency and accountability.

This is likely to lead to an increase in international cooperation and partnerships, which will help to drive economic growth and development.

The President's commitment to delivering on his promises has generated a lot of excitement and expectation among Ghanaians, and it is likely that his success will have a lasting impact on the country's development.

In the end, President Mahama's 120-day social contract is not just about fulfilling promises; it is about transforming the lives of Ghanaians and setting the country on a path of sustainable economic growth and development.

With only 51days left, the President and his government will be working hard to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.

The President's commitment to transparency and accountability has been demonstrated through the establishment of a website to track the progress of his promises.

In addition, President Mahama has also established a committee to oversee the implementation of his promises.

The committee is composed of representatives from various sectors, including civil society, the private sector and government agencies.

This committee will provide an additional layer of accountability and ensure that his promises are fulfilled.

Writer’s email:sulley503@gmail.com