Open Letter to the President-Elect of the Republic of Ghana

Dear H.E John Dramani Mahama ,

I bring you warm greetings from the good people of Amrahia and Oyibi.

As mandated by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, specifically Chapter 8, Article 57(1), which establishes the office of the President, you are set to be sworn in as the President of Ghana for the 2025–2029 term. While this milestone reflects the democratic progress of our nation, the alarmingly low voter turnout during the elections signifies growing disenchantment with political leadership.

My message to you is straightforward: exercise accountable, solution-driven, and transformative leadership every single day of your presidency.

Ghanaians are tired of excuses. In the previous administration, challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war were used as scapegoats for governance failures. These excuses undermined trust and left citizens feeling helpless. The responsibility now falls on you to prove otherwise.

Learning from the Past: Corruption and Scandals

Mr President, In your earlier tenure as President, Ghanaians witnessed troubling instances of corruption that dented public confidence. The guinea fowl scandal, where birds meant for farming mysteriously “flew” to Burkina Faso, became a byword for wastage and lack of accountability. Similarly, the infamous Burkinabe contractor “gift” controversy raised questions about governance ethics. While it is essential to avoid fixating on the past, lessons must guide us forward.

Your proposed Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), outlined in your First 120 Days Social Contract, promises to investigate and recover lost public funds. For example, your plan to institute forensic audits into matters such as the collapse of indigenous banks, the National Cathedral expenditure, and COVID-19-related scandals demonstrates a bold stance against corruption. However, Ghanaians will judge your administration not by promises but by actions.

Vision for the Future: Policy Commitments

Mr President, Your contract with Ghanaians outlines critical policy objectives. For instance, the abolishment of the e-levy, the COVID levy, and the 10% betting tax was explicitly promised within the first 90 days of your presidency. These reforms are anticipated to ease the financial burdens on citizens, especially the youth. Additionally, your promise to create a “lean and efficient government” while instituting a robust code of conduct for public officials within your first 14 days is commendable.

The commitment to fostering a 24-hour economy is particularly ambitious. However, Ghanaians recall your BBC News Africa interview, where your inability to provide specific figures led many to view the proposal as a gamble.

Policies must be accompanied by clear roadmaps, quantifiable metrics, and transparent implementation strategies to inspire confidence.

Citizens are asking practical questions:

1. How will the 24-hour economy be achieved?
2. What infrastructure and labour reforms are required to make this vision viable?

Mr President, Your administration owes them coherent answers. In the communities of Oyibi and Amrahia, parents wake up every day grappling with the reality of high taxes and an economy that feels out of reach. For the young graduate seeking employment or the farmer struggling with rising costs, these aren’t abstract challenges—they’re lived experiences that demand urgent solutions.

Youth, Technology, and Economic Growth

One of the most compelling aspects of your manifesto is the pledge to launch priority job creation programs such as the “Adwumawura” program, the “National Apprenticeship Program,” and the “One Million Coders Program.”

Initiatives like these can empower the youth and bridge the technological gap critical for a modern economy.

Moreover, your focus on reviving the industrial and agricultural sectors through tax reforms on imported machinery demonstrates foresight. This, coupled with your plans for an Accelerated Export Development Council (AEDC), presents an opportunity to restructure Ghana’s trade deficits and promote sustainable economic growth.

Strengthening Governance and Public Trust

Mr President, Accountability remains the cornerstone of democratic leadership. Chapter 6, Article 35 of the 1992 Constitution emphasizes the responsibility of the government to eradicate corruption and misuse of power. Your administration’s stated intent to bar political appointees from purchasing state assets aligns with this directive.

To restore public trust, I propose quarterly public updates on the progress of your administration’s policies. Whether through televised town hall meetings or detailed reports, such transparency will allow citizens to monitor your commitment to the social contract you’ve outlined.

Mr President, as we move forward, it is crucial that the benefits of development reach every corner of our nation. This includes empowering women in underserved communities, investing in rural education, and ensuring that youth in neglected regions have access to the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.

Environmental Sustainability and Resilience

The "Tree for Life" and "Blue Water" Initiatives, aimed at reversing the ecological damage caused by illegal mining, represent your commitment to environmental sustainability.

These projects align with global climate action goals and Ghana’s national development strategies. Transforming degraded areas into economic and ecological hubs is an ambitious yet necessary vision.

To ensure their success, I encourage public-private partnerships and community involvement in reforestation and water conservation efforts. These initiatives must also include strict enforcement against illegal mining to protect our natural resources for future generations.

The Role of Civil Society: A Watchdog’s Perspective

Mr President, I wish to remind you that citizens like myself have taken it upon ourselves to act as watchdogs of your administration.

Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, which empowers us to demand transparency and accountability from our leaders.

Every policy decision, from abolishing punitive taxes to implementing the 24-hour economy, will be scrutinized for its impact and outcomes.

This vigilance is not an act of opposition but a duty of citizenship.

It is inspired by Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the duties of citizens to protect public property and expose corruption.

Mr. President-elect, the road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging. However, this is your moment to set a new standard for leadership—one that inspires trust, drives action, and leaves a legacy of transformation. Ghanaians are yearning for a leader who can restore hope, rebuild trust, and chart a path to prosperity.

A thriving Ghana will not only uplift its citizens but also serve as a beacon of inspiration for Africa and the world.

This is your opportunity to lead not just a nation, but a continent, toward a future of economic stability, environmental sustainability, and democratic excellence.

My message is simple: govern with integrity, act decisively, and prioritize the welfare of Ghanaians above all else. The responsibility now falls on you to deliver.

I wish you wisdom, strength, and unwavering resolve as you assume office. Ghanaians are watching, not with skepticism but with cautious optimism.

Thank you.

Your fellow countryman,

Terry Kwame Azaglo

References

1. Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992. (1992). Ghana's Fourth Republican Constitution.
2. Mahama, J. D. (2024). Mahama’s First 120 Days Social Contract.
3. Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. (2012). Presidential (Transition) Act, Act 845.