A governance assessment by the AfriKan Continental Union Consult (ACUC), written by the Executive Director of its Ghana Chapter, Dr. Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, has highlighted signs of economic recovery under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
The report, titled “Governance in Motion: Achievements, Challenges, and the Road Ahead”, reviews the first year of President Mahama’s return to office and examines both domestic governance and Ghana’s international engagements.
Dr. Aziginaateeg stated that governance outcomes are inseparable from leadership quality, noting that “the quality of stewardship—good or bad—defines the outcomes, texture, and lived experiences of citizens.
According to the ACUC Ghana Chapter, the review is grounded in facts, field observations, and policy analysis, and seeks to acknowledge progress while constructively interrogating shortcomings.
The economy shows signs of stabilisation
In its domestic governance review, the report recalled that Ghana entered 2025 facing a severe debt crisis, high inflation, currency instability, youth unemployment and entrenched corruption.
“A year ago, workers’ incomes were overwhelmed by inflation, fuel price hikes, and rising costs of goods and services,” Aziginaateeg wrote, adding that currency volatility deepened import dependency and weakened economic sovereignty.
However, the report said recent macroeconomic indicators point to recovery, citing the completion of debt restructuring, declining inflation, reserve accumulation and improved trade performance.
“Ghana is breathing again,” the report noted, cautioning that stabilisation must still lead to “visible, sustainable, and transformational improvements in citizens’ lives.”
Dr. Aziginaateeg added that promised reforms on fiscal discipline, macroeconomic stability and poverty reduction remain “a national expectation and anxiety.”
The report then identified the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) as one of the administration’s most strategic fiscal interventions so far.
Its performance, according to ACUC, has increased Ghana’s gold reserves, strengthened confidence in the cedi and improved regulation within the gold sector.
“ACUC highly commends the board’s management and urges sustained transparency and institutional independence,” Dr. Anyagre stated.
On education, the report argued that Ghana’s system continues to suffer from colonial legacies and external conditionalities that weakened indigenous, development-oriented learning models.
Dr. Aziginaateeg called for the structured teaching of African inventors and intellectual heritage, stressing that restoring Africa’s place in science and innovation is critical to national development.
“Teaching the inventions, innovations, and scientific contributions of Africans across history is essential to restoring intellectual confidence, stimulating curiosity, and motivating excellence among learners,” the report said.
ACUC urged the Ghana Education Service and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to integrate African and Afro-descendant inventions into future curriculum reviews, alongside stronger regulation by bodies such as the National Teaching Council and the National School Inspectorate Authority.
The report further commended recoveries made by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), noting that the retrieval of GH¢337.4 million in 2025 exceeded its GH¢200 million target.
“This is a strong signal of effective governance,” Dr. Aziginaateeg stated, and recommended the decentralisation of EOCO operations to strengthen prevention.
While describing the Police CID as “professionally dedicated with result-oriented leadership,” the report noted that the Office of the Special Prosecutor remains a subject of public debate and warned against duplication among investigative bodies.
“Corruption must be understood broadly—beyond financial theft to include institutional incompetence and leadership failure,” it stated.
Moving on to the proposed 24-hour economy, ACUC described a 24-hour economy as a potential game changer for employment and productivity, and cited government engagement with labour, industry and traditional authorities, as well as plans for a legislated national authority.
The revival of state-owned enterprises also featured in the report, with the restoration of the Tema Oil Refinery under Ghanaian engineers highlighted as evidence of local capacity.
“A once-destroyed oil refinery reduced to scraps has been restored through purposeful leadership,” Benjamin Aziginaateeg noted.
The report welcomed the repeal of legislation permitting mining in forest reserves, while urging intensified action against galamsey in partnership with traditional authorities.
It identified chieftaincy disputes as the source of most conflicts in Ghana and praised Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s mediation efforts in Bawku, describing them as “anchored in a Supreme Court ruling.”
On living conditions, ACUC acknowledged improvements in the cost-of-living index but stressed that economic comfort remains a national security issue, calling for salary rationalisation within the public sector.
The report also welcomed Ghana’s engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States, humanitarian solidarity efforts, South–South cooperation with China and leadership on African reparations.
However, Dr. Aziginaateeg outlined unresolved challenges, including restoring leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement, re-establishing diplomatic recognition of Polisario, taking a stronger role in resolving the Democratic Republic of Congo crisis, and ending the presence of a US military base to safeguard Ghana’s sovereignty.
According to field assessments cited by ACUC, about 70 per cent of Ghanaians believe their December 7, 2024 electoral choice was justified, with many reporting a renewed sense of leadership and direction.
“The Reset is not a story.
The Reset is real.
The Reset leadership is true,” Dr. Benjamin Aziginaateeg wrote.
