President John Dramani Mahama has laid out a bold vision for what he calls a “national reset” during his first major media engagement since assuming office. The highly anticipated encounter on Wednesday offered Ghanaians a detailed look into his administration’s priorities, from reviving the economy to expanding social inclusion, just eight months into his presidency.
Mahama began by reminding citizens that his mandate is not simply about a change in leadership but a change in direction. He assured the public that nuisance taxes have been cut, inflation reduced to a four-year low, and the cedi stabilised to ease business transactions. With power supply also stabilised, he promised Ghanaians would not face another crippling “dumsor” crisis. “That December 7th vote was a call not just for leadership, but for a reset,” he said.
Education took centre stage in his address. The President pledged to not only maintain the Free SHS policy but to strengthen it further. He announced the No-Fee Stress Policy, which has already refunded fees to 120,000 first-year tertiary students, and the Student Loan Plus Policy, designed to make financing education easier for low-income households. In a landmark move, he also declared that persons with disabilities will now benefit from Free Tertiary Education, making Ghana’s higher education system more inclusive than ever.
On health care, Mahama revealed that the 2025 national health budget has been increased by 13.4%, with funding for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) rising sharply from 5.9 billion cedis to 9.8 billion cedis. He also pledged 2 billion cedis in health infrastructure investment by 2028, promising that “every Ghanaian will have a facility within reach.”
The President also placed research and innovation at the heart of his governance agenda. To build what he called a “knowledge-based economy,” Mahama announced the creation of a Ghana National Research Fund with an initial 50 million cedis allocation. This, he explained, will reduce dependence on foreign donors and allow Ghana to claim ownership of the intellectual property generated by its researchers. As part of this vision, five PhD candidates at every university will be awarded full scholarships annually.
In a socially charged section of his remarks, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to inclusion and dignity, unveiling efforts to combat period poverty. Over six million sanitary pads have already been distributed nationwide, ensuring that girls do not miss school due to lack of access to menstrual products. He stressed that such initiatives are part of his broader push to “reset Ghana” so that no citizen is left behind.
The President’s media encounter has set the tone for what could be the defining priorities of his administration. By combining fiscal discipline, educational reforms, health investments, research funding, and social protection, Mahama positioned himself as a leader eager to rebuild trust while steering Ghana toward a more equitable and resilient future.
