On January 7, 2025, John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as Ghana’s president at Independence Square in Accra, returning to the role he previously held from 2012 to 2017.

Mahama won the December 2024 elections by a large margin, mainly because many Ghanaians were unhappy with the country’s economic problems, including high inflation, unemployment, and a rising cost of living.

In his speech, Mahama promised to “reset the country” by focusing on fixing the economy, ensuring stability, and promoting good governance. He also stressed the importance of fighting corruption and investing in agriculture and infrastructure to create growth and improve people’s lives.

The event was attended by several African leaders, such as Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Kenya’s President William Ruto, highlighting the importance of Ghana’s peaceful democratic transition.

Mahama’s government faces the urgent task of tackling economic challenges, with inflation hitting 23.8% in December 2024, the highest in eight months, mainly due to rising food prices. The energy sector is also struggling with debt, and there is a strong need to rebuild public trust through better governance and effective reforms.

Experts urge Mahama to meet public expectations by delivering on his promises and implementing policies that will bring real improvements to Ghana’s economy.