6 Urgent Matters Mahama Must Prioritise In His First State of the Nation Address

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama will deliver his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament after assuming office.

Ghanaians are eagerly anticipating concrete plans to tackle the nation’s pressing economic challenges, including the rising cost of living, food inflation, cedi depreciation, and unemployment.

President Mahama has issued a myriad of items to implement within the first 120 days of taking office, but a chunk of the promises has yet to materialise.

As he takes centre stage to address citizens in the coming days, many are expecting to hear updates on policies and programmes that will improve lives.

Below are six key issues that must be captured in President Mahama’s message to Ghanaians.

1. Implementation of the 24-hour economy policy

In his inaugural address on January 7, 2025, President Mahama introduced his vision for a 24-hour economy.

This policy aims to create an economic system where businesses can operate around the clock, public services remain accessible at all times, and employment opportunities expand beyond traditional working hours.

The goal is clear: boost economic productivity, generate decent jobs, and reduce the number of vulnerable workers. Decent work, as defined within this framework, includes fair wages, social security, workplace safety, and access to healthcare.

Many Ghanaians expect detailed plans on how this vision will be implemented, including the proposed three-shift system, which could significantly impact job creation.

2. Sustaining and enhancing free SHS

President Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining and improving the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. His administration plans to:

• Address overcrowding in schools.
• Complete abandoned educational infrastructure projects.
• Strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
• Provide free tuition for first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
• Ensure free education for persons with disabilities.

Ghanaians are eager to learn how these enhancements will be executed and funded, particularly given the challenges in the education sector.

 

3. Addressing illegal mining (Galamsey)

Illegal mining continues to cause severe environmental degradation, including deforestation and water pollution. President Mahama has vowed to introduce sustainable mining practices that balance economic benefits with environmental preservation.

His administration plans to regulate the sector effectively, ensuring that miners can earn a livelihood while protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

Citizens expect concrete measures on how this approach will differ from previous efforts under the Akufo-Addo administration and whether it will yield lasting results.

 

4. Scrapping ‘nuisance’ taxes

One of the most anticipated commitments is the removal of unpopular taxes, including:

• E-levy
• COVID-19 levy
• Emissions levy
• 10% Betting tax

Both businesses and individuals are keen to see how quickly these taxes will be abolished.

The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has urged the government to prioritize tax reforms and depreciation of the cedi, citing their detrimental impact on businesses.

Expectations are high that the administration will not introduce new burdensome taxes.

 

5. Job creation initiatives

The NDC’s manifesto outlines an ambitious plan to create 1.7 million jobs between 2025 and 2029. This includes:

• Absorbing 300,000 new workforce entrants annually.
• Reducing unemployment by 120,000 per year.
• Launching initiatives such as the ‘Adwumawura Programme,’ the ‘National Apprenticeship Programme,’ and the ‘One Million Coders Programme.’

Ghanaians expect to hear concrete timelines and implementation strategies for these job-creation initiatives, given the country’s high youth unemployment rate.

 

6. Establishment of the women’s development bank

Access to credit remains a major challenge for women entrepreneurs.

President Mahama has pledged to allocate seed funding for a Women’s Development Bank to provide financial support to women who struggle to secure loans from traditional banks.

Ghanaians anticipate further details on how this initiative will empower women economically and drive inclusive growth.

With high expectations surrounding his first State of the Nation Address, President Mahama must deliver clear, actionable plans to alleviate economic hardship, create jobs, and implement his policy commitments.

Ghanaians will be watching closely to see if his administration can turn promises into tangible progress.