President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has admitted he was surprised by how quickly the Ghanaian economy rebounded over the past 12 months of his second term.
According to President Mahama, he had expected the economy to recover only after a gestation period of at least two years, considering the depth of the crisis his administration inherited.
He said the sharp drop in inflation—from about 23 per cent in 2024 to a single-digit rate of around 5 per cent within a year—came as a major surprise to him.
The President made these remarks at the 23rd Annual First Sky Group Thanksgiving Service held in Accra on January 25, 2026.
“It is not by my might, and that is why I say every human being must be anchored in something, and that something must be faith,” President Mahama said. “I have been at this job before, and when we came into office, the crisis we faced was very difficult. In my own estimation, I thought we would need about two years to see a turnaround. That was what I believed. But Ebenezer, this is how far God has brought us. We are all surprised and shocked at the quick turnaround.”
He added that international partners have also expressed disbelief at the speed of Ghana’s recovery.
“Anytime I meet IMF and World Bank officials, they themselves do not believe what has happened in Ghana. Ghana has now become the poster boy of the IMF and the World Bank. That is why I say it is only by the grace of God. To bring inflation down from about 23.8 per cent to 5.4 per cent in just one year—how do you manage that?” he asked.
President Mahama further highlighted the performance of the cedi, describing it as unprecedented.
“For the first time, our long-suffering Ghanaian currency—the cedi—which has taken a beating over the years, has seen the tables turned. The dollar has been ‘arrested’ and broken out of jail,” he said. “For the first time, the Ghanaian cedi appreciated by about 37 per cent in one year. It is by His grace.”
The President proclaimed that he will enjoin Ghanaians to give thanks and praises to God Alimighty during the National Thanksging programs in store. That with this, Ghana will be a the talk of the world by of 2026.
