In the lead up to the 2024 General Election, then candidate John Dramani Mahama outlined an ambitious raft of plans to reset the country and put Ghana on the path of economic recovery and social transformation. 

In keeping with his promise after securing historic victory and taking office on January 7, 2025, President Mahama did not hesitate to deliver on his promise to the people in his first 120-days in office.  

In a document, which is a sequel to the National Democratic Congress 2024 Manifesto, the President outlined 26 deliverables that would facilitate the reset agenda, setting the tone for the implementation of policies in the NDC’s Manifesto. 

Notable among his promise was to nominate his Cabinet and constitute the leanest Government within 90 days in office. 

This was achieved as the President announced his 19-Member cabinet on February 20, 2025 and has so far sworn into office 56 Ministers, four short of not more than 60 Ministers he promised.  

The President also fulfilled his promise of scrapping the E-levy, COVID levy, 10 per cent levy on bet winnings, and Emissions levy, which he described as draconian. 

President Mahama again convened a National Economic Dialogue to discuss the true state of the economy and prepare a homegrown fiscal and monetary consolidation programme to guide the budget and the national economic planning as a whole.  

The national consultative conference on Education was also held to build consensus on needed adjustments and. improvements to the sector. 

Key Manifesto policy interventions that have so far being implemented includes the Feed Ghana Programme, Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, One Million Coders Programme, Adwumawura Programme, and the National Apprenticeship Programme – all geared towards empowering the youth with employable skills. 

Other policies that have been rolled out by the new Government includes the establishment of the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, and the Tree For Life Initiative to plant seven million trees to restore the green cover and the environment. 

The Government has also allocated seed money of GH₵51.3 million for the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank to give Ghanaian women credit to engage in all manner of business activities to improve their lot.  

The President recently cut sod for the construction of a permanent village on the Spintex road, near the Kotoka International Airport, to provide decent temporary accommodation for Muslims embarking on Hajj. 

On the fight against illegal mining, which was a major campaign promise, the Government has moved to tackle the issue head-on. However, reports from some mining areas suggest that more needs to be done to tackle the menace comprehensively. 

Although the Government has made significant progress in its reset agenda, some key campaign promises are yet to be fulfilled. 

Notable among the promises captured in the 120-day social contract yet to be implemented is the implementation of the ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions—universities, colleges of education, and nursing training institutions. 

The promise to establish an Accelerated Export Development Council (AEDC) to promote exports as part of a broader strategy for economic transformation has also not been fulfilled. 

When the Ghana News Agency (GNA) hit the streets of Accra to talk to Ghanaians about the performance of President Mahama’s 120-day Social Contract, people shared varied opinions on the matter. 

What stood out were the erratic power supply, youth unemployment and high cost of living.  

Ms Edith Som, a National Service Person in her comment thanked President Mahama for honouring his 120-days social contract to the people. 

She cited for example that the government had paid all allowances and arrears owed service personnel which were outstanding since 2024. 

She however appealed to the government to resolve the intermittent power problems which she said was affecting people in some parts of the country. 

Mr Alfred Nyarko, a shoe seller at the Accra Tema Station market, stated that though the President had fulfilled some of his campaign promises, he needed to tackle the rising unemployment of the youth and the erratic power supply in the system. 

Wofa Yaw Asiama, a Commissioner of Oaths, said the President’s raft of promises was ambitious but with  passion and resilience, he would have the full support and blessings of Ghanaians to make the country a better place than he found it.  

Residents of Keta in the Volta Region have hailed and commended President John Dramani Mahama for fulfilling most of the promises made to deliver on his commitments within his first 120 days in office. 

They expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts for addressing some of the country’s pressing issues to give comfort and alleviate the plight of the majority in the area. 

Mr Dzidefo Isaac Aborhor, a businessman at Keta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said President Mahama promised to take bold steps to address some of the country’s challenges within his first 120 days in office indicated his dedication and commitment to giving hope to Ghanaians. 

“We are impressed with the President’s commitment to keeping his promises and we are hopeful that he will continue to deliver on his campaign promises,” he said. 

He said that many residents within the areas were optimistic that the President’s policies would help improve the economy, create jobs, and enhance the overall well-being of all for better development and progress in the country. 

Mr Aborhor appreciated the commitment and accountability efforts exhibited by the President and believed that his ability to report on his progress within the first 120 days in office demonstrated commitment to open and transparency in government. 

“We still have confidence in President Mahama’s ability to lead the country; we hope that his visions and the leadership skills will take Ghana forward.” 

He explained that the President’s economic initiatives have been welcomed and efforts to convene a National Economic Dialogue, allocation of money for the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank and others would help develop a roadmap for fiscal recovery and promote economic growth for the benefit of all. 

Mr Gabriel Dzramdo, an Educationist, impressed excitement about the President’s initiatives in education and healthcare sectors and the introduction of free Tertiary Education for Person with Disabilities, No-academic fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions, and efforts to host an Education Dialogue and establishment of the Mahama Cares Health Fund. 

Mr Anthony Dagadu, an Economics and Policy Analyst, told the GNA that the President had made a good start in fulfilling his 25 promises made to be delivered in the first 120 days in office and many were hopeful that he would continue to deliver on his campaign promises. 

He said that the prospects for Ghana looked promising under President Mahama’s leadership and his commitment to transparency, accountability, and economic growth had the potential to take Ghana forward and improve the lives of its citizens. 

He said other promises such as nomination Cabinet Ministers for parliamentary approval within the first 14 days, constituting of the leanest government of 54 out of 60 ministers promised under the fourth republic in first 90 days in office as well as scraping of the E-levy, COVID levy, 10 per cent levy on bet winnings, and Emissions levy were recommendable. 

Mr Dagadu said the President’s initiatives to establish a robust code of conduct and standard for all government officials, commencement of free sanitary pad to female students in primary and secondary schools, institute a government policy to ban political appointees from purchasing state assets and ‘Adwumawura’, National apprenticeship programmes and one million coder programme should be applauded. 

He advised the government to also enact stronger policies to purge state security agencies of all militia and vigilante elements and the ban on illegal mining activities in the forest reserves.   

Some other residents in Keta GNA interacted with pledged their support for President Mahama to continue the hard work towards delivering on the rest of his campaign promises to improve the lives of Ghanaians and promote economic growth. 

President John Dramani Mahama will on Wednesday, May 7, give an account of the first 120 Days of his second term in office to Ghanaians in a broadcast to the nation scheduled at 2030 hours.

Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications in a statement said: “President John Dramani Mahama will account to the nation on his 120 Day Social Contract tonight at 8:30pm in a live TV and radio broadcast”.

The Presidency said this would enable President Mahama to outline his achievements in fulfilment of the Social Contract, which he signed with the people of Ghana during the 2024 general election campaign.

During election 2024, the Candidate Mahama launched a document dubbed “Mahama’s First 120 Days Social Contract with the People of Ghana,” in which he stated 25 major priorities projects he would implement within his first 120 days when elected to office.

The President is tout his efforts to Reset the nation and to highlight certain key achievements he was able to fulfill within his first 120 Days in office, such as the launching of major projects, namely the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares), Minister Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Adwumawura Programme.

Others are the setting up of the Constitutional Review Committee, the implementation of the Chip-embedded Passports, Free Sanitary Pad for Girls in School, the Holding of the Second Edition of the Kwahu Business Forum, the abolition of the 10 per cent betting tax, the abolition of the one per cent Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy), and the holding of the National Economic Dialogue.

The rest are the cutting of sod for the construction of the National Hajj Village for check in and pilgrims facilitation, the coupon payment of GH¢6.081 billion to all Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) bondholders, the launch of the One Million Coders Programme, the launch of the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) and the holding of the National Education Forum.

Agbogbomefia of the Asorgli State Torgbui Afede XIV speaking at a durbar of the Chiefs and People of the Volta Region on January 24th, during President Mahama’s “Thank You Tour” of the Volta Region, praised President Mahama for his impressive speed of work; saying “So far, so good”.

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 40 individuals for appointment as district chief executives for the Ashanti Region, pending approval by their respective District Assemblies. 

A statement signed by Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, said the nominations were made in accordance with Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).

The nominees are; Akwasi Adusei, Ahafo Ano North, Ibrahim Yamba Nelson Issaka, Ahafo Ano South East, Abubakar Sedik, Ahafo Ano South West, Mba Zechariah Alenbilla, Atwima Nwabiagya North, Wisdom Osei Boamah, Atwima Nwabiagya South, Benjamin Marfo, Amansie South, Manu Prince Morris, Amansie West, Salifu Issaka, Bekwai, Frank Owusu Amoah, Offinso South, Caesar Acheampong Ofosu, Offinso North, Rafiu Adam Seidu, Ejura Sekyedumase, Evans Amoh Twumasi, Sekyere South, Ebenezer Ekow Aidoo, Asante Akim Central.

The others are Kwasi Amankwaa, Kumawu, Samuel Somuah, Sekyere Central, Abubakar Issaka, Sekyere Afram Plains, Ibrahim Adams, Sekyere East, Joseph Amankwa, Kwabre East, Eunice Ohenewaa Ansu, Juaben, Jerryne Asante, Ejisu, Emmanuel Obeng Agyemang, Odotobri, Sarah Amoakoaa, Asante Akim North, Maame Sarfoah Appiah, Asante Akim South, Abdullah Hamidu, Bosomtwe, Emmanuel Jackson Agumah, Afigya Kwabre North, Pearl Patricia Ankrah, Afigya Kwabre South, Charles Kofi Ogbeh, Adansi North.

The rest are Oheneba Kobena Andoh, Adansi South, Albert Dakurah, Adansi Asokwa, Charles Appiah-Kubi, Bosome Freho, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, Obuasi West, Adzowu Kofi William, Obuasi East, Grace Agyemang Asamoah, Atwima Kwanwoma, Amoh Kemel, Asokwa, Gariba Mohammed Mustapha, Adansi Akrofuom, Eric Asibey, Kwadaso, Owusu Ansah Frank, Suame, Abubakar Sidiq, Tafo, Anwel Sadat Ahmed, Oforikrom, Ben Abdallah Alhassan, Asokore Mampong.