Judging the Reset – Dr. Arthur Kennedy Writes
One year into the “Ghana Reset,” progress has been made, but challenges remain—prices are high, galamsey persists, and the fight against corruption must deepen
- President Mahama’s “Ghana Reset” has seen inflation drop, currency stabilization, improved electricity supply, and expanded healthcare coverage
- Despite gains, high prices, galamsey, and unchecked corruption continue to affect Ghanaians
- Stronger ORAL enforcement, anti-galamsey measures, parliamentary oversight, and political reforms are needed to ensure meaningful, lasting change
It is about a year since President Mahama launched the “Ghana Reset.” In his New Year Message, the President stated, “We have begun to deliver on that covenant.”
He reported that inflation has dropped from 23% to 5% and the currency has stabilized. He highlighted increased electricity supply, expanded healthcare coverage, and work done on corruption.
To be fair, there has been progress, and our national morale has improved. But the praise has often been disproportionate to the changes, verging on sycophancy, as NDC General Secretary Fiifi Kwetey recently pointed out. Some are even talking about a third term! Perhaps, mediocre governance after mediocre governance has dulled our expectations.
From the same leadership perch, Nkrumah built Tema Harbour and Akosombo Dam, delivering massive infrastructure development. Kufuor built the Bui Dam, initiated NHIS, and gave us the “Kufuor dollar” stronger than the US dollar. Acheampong delivered Operation Feed Yourself, the Dansoman and Suntreso estates, and the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1978. And President Mahama himself delivered UGMC, Terminal 3, and many other infrastructure projects in just four years.
Yet, as I write, prices are still too high, galamsey is still untamed, and too many thieves mock ORAL by walking around free with their loot. That last point is worsened by the avalanche of “Nolle Prosequi” decisions, which create the unfortunate impression that NDC members can expect benign neglect from prosecution authorities.
Thankfully, the President appears well-grounded about the enormity of what remains undone. He has been diligent, humble, and accessible. In this new year, Mr. President, let ORAL advance by leaps and bounds and firmly tackle galamsey. No amount of economic returns from galamsey can justify the depletion of forests, pollution of rivers, and poisoning of pregnant women and children.
Beyond Ghana, help Africa find African solutions to our problems. Today, we seem to have none. Mr. President, these are the changes that will secure your legacy—not a needless third term—but a place in history alongside Nkrumah as one of our greatest leaders.
As you rightly said, “Governments do not build nations alone.” Indeed! Parliament must step fully into its role of executive oversight and take vigorous center-stage in constitutional reform. Too many audit shenanigans went unpunished, and constitutional reforms risk becoming a circus without firm leadership. The problems with our constitution are qualitative, not quantitative. That is why it is three times the length of the US Constitution yet delivers far less.
I have yet to meet any Ghanaian who wished Rawlings or NADAA had ten years instead of eight. The central problem with our constitutional democracy, however, is the uncontrolled monetization of politics. We need to address this urgently. No reforms will matter as much as those that demonetize our politics.
May God bless Ghana.
Arthur Kobina Kennedy
4th January 2026
