President John Dramani Mahama has said his administration inherited a nation in deep distress, marked by economic collapse and weak governance structures.
Speaking during his official three-day state visit to Zambia, where he met with members of the Ghanaian community living in the country, Mahama said the country was already “sick” when his government assumed office, with the economy in crisis and state institutions struggling to function effectively.
According to the president, the challenges his administration faced were not isolated setbacks but the result of systemic weaknesses that had accumulated over time. He argued that stabilising the economy and restoring confidence in governance required difficult decisions and sustained reforms.
Mahama said his government prioritised efforts to rebuild institutions, restore fiscal discipline, and invest in critical infrastructure to lay the foundation for long-term growth.
He said “We inherited a country that was sick. The economy was in crisis, and governance was in tatters. We had so many issues in health, education, and agriculture, and most of all, we had defaulted on our debt. Our debt-to-GDP ratio had risen above 100%, and nobody wanted to lend to Ghana again.
“So we fought the election, and we said our objective was to win power and reset Ghana in all sectors, and I likened it to resetting a computer to work properly again.”
He maintained that while progress was made, the scale of the problems inherited limited how quickly results could be felt by ordinary Ghanaians.
The president also urged the public to assess his record in the broader context of the conditions under which his administration took office, stressing that governance should be judged not only by outcomes but by the realities leaders confront when they assume power.
His comments come amid renewed political debate over Ghana’s economic trajectory and governance record, as political actors trade blame over the origins of current challenges facing the country.
Mahama arrived in Lusaka, Zambia, for a three-day state visit at the invitation of his Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema.
He was met on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia, by President Hichilema. Also at the airport were Her Excellency Elizabeth Nyantakyi, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Zambia, and other officials.
President Mahama, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, and other officials, will hold bilateral talks with President Hichilema on matters of mutual interest, including strengthening diplomatic relations, enhancing trade and investment cooperation, and exploring collaborative opportunities within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
