Accra, Ghana – December 11, 2023: President-elect John Dramani Mahama has pledged to collaborate with international partners, including the United Nations (UN), to address Ghana’s pressing economic and social challenges.
During a courtesy visit by the UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, Mahama underscored the importance of recalibrating campaign promises to align with the country’s economic realities.
The President-elect acknowledged the hurdles facing his incoming administration, including managing debt repayments and addressing food security concerns amid erratic rainfall patterns.
“So we look forward to working with you. Looking at the existing programmes, we need to tweak them to meet the realities of today,” Mahama stated.
He emphasized the importance of engaging with global financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure fiscal sustainability.
Debt management emerged as a key concern. “One of our main concerns is the issue of debt repayments. We need to see how we can smooth them to avoid defaulting again, which would be more catastrophic than the current situation,” Mahama noted.
On food security, he expressed apprehension about the erratic rainfall over the past five years, predicting potential challenges in food availability.
“How we are able to quicken support to ameliorate the situation is something that we would like to work on,” he remarked.
The President-elect also highlighted the historic election of Ghana’s first female Vice President, underscoring the administration’s commitment to gender representation and progress.
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UN Commitment to Ghana
In his address, Charles Abani congratulated Mahama on his electoral victory and commended Ghana for its peaceful democratic transition. “Your ascension to office also brings Ghana its first female Vice President.
This is to assure you that the UN stands fully with you and Ghana,” Abani said. He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Ghana in addressing socio-economic challenges and bolstering its democratic legacy.
Abani also lauded Ghana’s continued role as a beacon of stability in West Africa, a sentiment echoed by Mahama. The President-elect emphasized Ghana’s strategic importance in upholding democracy, peace, and security in the region.
Managing Expectations and Strengthening Partnerships
Mahama acknowledged the high expectations of Ghanaians following his decisive electoral victory. “I don’t kid myself that it is going to be an easy task. Ghanaians have very high expectations, and in managing that, I am working as quickly as possible to meet them,” he stated.
Expressing optimism about the future, Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to deepening partnerships with the UN and its agencies, including UNICEF and UNHCR. “We need you more than ever before because of the crisis we are going through. Together, we can put Ghana back on its feet,” he affirmed.
With this proactive approach, the President-elect sets the stage for a collaborative governance model aimed at addressing Ghana’s challenges while maintaining its status as a regional leader in peace and democracy.
