President John Dramani Mahama has outlined an ambitious agenda for 2026, promising expanded investment in education, health care, agriculture and energy, alongside a renewed push against corruption, as he called for national unity and citizen participation in Ghana’s development.
In his New Year address, Mahama said his administration would “accelerate and expand” reforms aimed at resetting the economy and strengthening social protection, stressing that growth must translate into opportunity and dignity for all Ghanaians.
Education featured prominently in the address, with the president pledging to continue the digitalisation of schools and equip classrooms with tools suited for 21st-century learning. “Every child deserves a world-class education,” he said, framing education as a cornerstone of long-term economic competitiveness.
On health, Mahama said the government would operationalise Universal Health Coverage through a Free Primary Health Care Programme to ensure that access to care is not determined by ability to pay. He also announced the rollout of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support citizens living with non-communicable diseases, a growing burden on households and the health system.
Agriculture, long a source of employment but limited productivity, is to be transformed from subsistence farming into a commercial, value-driven sector. Mahama said the government would pursue mechanisation, value addition and improved market access to achieve food self-sufficiency and raise rural incomes.
The president also reiterated plans to shift Ghana’s energy mix, targeting a 30% share of renewable energy to lower costs and reduce environmental impact. Housing shortages will be addressed through social housing projects delivered via public-private partnerships, he added.
Governance reforms were a central theme of the speech. Mahama pledged an intensified fight against corruption, declaring that there would be “no sacred cows” and that every cedi of public money must be accounted for. He also committed to implementing the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee to strengthen the 1992 Constitution and deepen democratic consolidation.
Beyond policy commitments, Mahama appealed directly to key segments of society to support the Reset Agenda. He urged young people to see themselves as leaders “of today,” entrepreneurs to invest and create jobs, and civil society and the media to continue holding government accountable. He called on traditional leaders and faith-based groups to promote social cohesion, public servants to act with integrity, and the diaspora to bring skills and capital back home.
Striking a unifying tone, the president rejected partisan divisions, saying Ghana’s future transcends political affiliations. “There is only one Ghana,” he said, urging citizens to replace divisive politics with what he described as the patriotism of nation-building.
Mahama painted a vision of a country where opportunity is available at home, reducing the incentive for young people to risk dangerous migration routes, and where the elderly, sick and vulnerable are protected. He said Ghana should aspire to be respected globally for democratic quality, economic vitality and national character.
“This is not wishful thinking,” he said. “This is the Ghana we are building together.”
As the country enters 2026, Mahama called for confidence, determination and collective effort, saying the promise that inspired Ghana’s founding generation remains achievable. He closed the address with a call for faith in God, faith in Ghana and faith in the ability of citizens to deliver shared prosperity in the year ahead.
