President John Dramani Mahama’s second year should focus on energy security, disciplined infrastructure spending and stronger private-sector participation if the government is to translate early policy engagement into lasting economic impact, according to David Ofosu-Dorte, senior partner at AB & David Africa.
Speaking on John Mahama 2.0: Thematic Assessment of Year One on Channel One TV, Ofosu-Dorte said the administration’s decision to hold a National Economic Dialogue at the start of its term marked a departure from past practice, when such consultations were often convened in response to economic stress. He described the move as an important step toward inclusive policymaking but said its value will ultimately depend on whether contributions from stakeholders are systematically tracked and reflected in policy outcomes.
He said broader participation in infrastructure planning would unlock underutilised capacity across the economy and improve execution. While not every proposal should be adopted, Ofosu-Dorte argued that visibility on how decisions are made would build confidence and sustain public engagement.
At the centre of his assessment was the energy sector, which he described as Ghana’s most critical infrastructure priority. Stable baseload power, he said, is essential for lowering industrial electricity costs and supporting large-scale manufacturing. He added that in the global race to attract data centres and AI-related investment, energy availability, rather than artificial intelligence itself, has become the decisive factor. Countries with surplus, reliable power are already reaping spillover benefits in the form of industrial parks and special economic zones, he said.
Ofosu-Dorte also warned that high infrastructure costs continue to undermine Ghana’s fiscal position. He pointed to weaknesses in contract design, land acquisition and resettlement processes that routinely lead to cost overruns, inflating contingent liabilities and worsening debt indicators monitored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Addressing these inefficiencies, he said, would ease pressure on public finances without sacrificing development goals.
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He urged the government to expand the use of private capital in infrastructure with clear commercial potential, citing water projects as an example. According to Ofosu-Dorte, private-sector models could capture freshwater currently discharged into the sea and transport it to urban centres without direct government funding, while creating opportunities for regional water exports.
By benchmarking construction costs, identifying priority locations and offering tax incentives, he said the government could accelerate school delivery while improving transparency and accountability.
Ofosu-Dorte cautioned against excessive centralisation, arguing that it slows delivery and limits innovation. Instead, he called for frameworks that mobilise private investment, community participation and clear performance-based contracting.
As the administration enters its second year, he said the challenge is to move from consultation to execution, using energy-led industrialisation, cost discipline and innovative financing to deliver structural change across the economy.
