Former President John Mahama has officially launched his 2024 campaign to be re-elected as Ghana’s president. However, his previous term’s unfulfilled promises are now under intense scrutiny. Mahama, who served as Vice President from 2009 to 2012 and President from 2012 to 2017, is the only former president on the ballot.
Political scientist Abdul Razak Yando has questioned Mahama’s sincerity, pointing out his history of making lavish promises that went unmet. In an open article, Yando highlighted Mahama’s numerous unfulfilled promises from his 2012 manifesto. This analysis is particularly relevant for young voters who were too young to recall Mahama’s previous term.
Yando emphasized the need to examine Mahama’s past performance before considering his new promises. He provided a detailed list of 46 promises from Mahama’s 2012 manifesto that were not fulfilled. Here are some key points from Yando’s analysis:
1. Strengthen CHRAJ to Fight Corruption
Mahama promised to empower the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to fight corruption. This promise was not fulfilled.
2. Abolish the Office of Accountability
He pledged to abolish the Office of Accountability, which many believed protected corrupt officials. This did not happen.
3. Revise the Law on Asset Declaration
Mahama promised to revise the asset declaration law to increase transparency. This promise was also unmet.
4. Enact a Freedom of Information Bill
A key promise was to enact a Freedom of Information Bill, allowing public access to official information. This bill was never enacted.
5. Place an Upper Limit on Supreme Court Justices
Mahama vowed to set an upper limit on the number of Supreme Court justices. This was not implemented.
6. Separate the Attorney General from the Ministry of Justice
He promised to separate the roles for efficiency and transparency, but this did not occur.
7. Address Money Laundering and Drug Transport Issues
Ghana remained a known drug transit point despite promises to tackle money laundering and drug transport issues.
8. Introduce Special Tax Rates for Financial Institutions
Mahama pledged special tax rates for institutions lending to priority sectors. This was not fulfilled.
9. Develop Limestone Deposits for Cement
Developing limestone deposits at Buipe, Nauli, and Nadowli for cement production was another unmet promise.
10. Rejuvenate the Textile Industry
The textile industry, from seed production to processing and printing, was not rejuvenated as promised.
11. Establish Shea Processing in Northern Regions
He promised shea processing facilities to achieve 50,000 tons per year. This did not materialize.
12. Support Salt Processing for Communities and the Petrochemical Industry
Mahama’s support for salt processing did not come through.
13. Rehabilitate Viable Manufacturing Enterprises
He pledged to rehabilitate abandoned but viable enterprises like Kumasi Jute and Aboso Glass. This was not achieved.
14. Explore an Integrated Iron and Steel Industry
Exploring an integrated iron and steel industry at Oppon Manso was another unfulfilled promise.
15. Create a Special Pension Scheme for Farmers and Fishermen
A special pension scheme for farmers and fishermen was not established.
16. Set Up a Ghana Commodities Exchange
Setting up a commodities exchange to provide post-harvest infrastructure and trading standards was not fulfilled.
17. Process 60% of Cocoa Locally
Mahama promised to process 60% of cocoa locally, including plans for a new factory. This did not happen.
18. Improve Fish Stocks through Education and Enforcement
Fish stock improvement efforts were not realized.
19. Reduce Post-Harvest Losses
Reducing post-harvest losses by increasing storage and processing facilities was unmet.
20. Implement a One-Time National Health Insurance Premium
This health insurance promise was not fulfilled.
21. Pay Professional Allowances to Teachers
Mahama promised various allowances to teachers, but these were not fully realized.
22. End Schools Under Trees
Ending schools under trees by 2016 was not achieved.
23. Build Two Technical Schools in Each District
This ambitious educational promise was unmet.
24. Construct a New Railway Line
A new railway line from Kumasi through Wa to Hamile was never built.
25. Double TOR’s Capacity for Oil Processing
Doubling the capacity of the Tema Oil Refinery was another unmet promise.
26. Establish Community Day Senior High Schools
Constructing 200 new Community Day Senior High Schools did not happen.
27. Achieve a Single-Digit Inflation Rate
Mahama promised a single-digit inflation rate, but this goal was not achieved.
28. Maintain a Budget Deficit Below 5% of GDP
Keeping the budget deficit below 5% of GDP was unmet.
29. Increase Gross International Reserves
He promised to increase international reserves to cover four months of imports. This was not realized.
30. Address Gender Inequality
The enactment of the Affirmative Action Act to address gender inequality was not fulfilled.
31. Investigate Public Land Acquisitions
Mahama promised to establish a commission to investigate public land acquisitions, which did not happen.
32. Construct 10 New Colleges of Education
This promise was not realized, leaving many regions underserved.
33. Develop the Petrochemical Industry
Mahama pledged to develop a petrochemical industry utilizing local natural gas and salt, which was not fulfilled.
34. Increase Storage Facilities for Farmers
This promise aimed at reducing post-harvest losses but was not met.
35. Introduce More Fishing Infrastructure
Promises to build more ice facilities and freezers to support the fishing industry were unmet.
36. Improve Small-Scale Mining Operations
Efforts to improve small-scale mining and reduce illegal activities were not successful.
37. Develop Limestone for Industrial Use
Mahama’s promise to utilize limestone deposits for industrial development was not achieved.
38. Boost the Manufacturing Sector
Reviving the manufacturing sector, including the jute and glass industries, did not happen.
39. Introduce Special Loan Programs
Special loan programs for small and medium enterprises were promised but not delivered.
40. Enhance Cocoa Processing
The plan to locally process 60% of cocoa remains unfulfilled.
41. Establish Fish Hatcheries
Mahama promised fish hatcheries to support the fishing industry, which were not built.
42. Support Textile Industry
The textile industry’s revival from seed to processing did not materialize.
43. Improve Agricultural Marketing
Setting up a Ghana Commodities Exchange was not realized.
44. Build Technical Schools
Two technical schools in each district were promised but not constructed.
45. Increase Cement Production
Developing limestone deposits for cement production was not fulfilled.
46. Strengthen Law Enforcement
Efforts to separate the Attorney General from the Ministry of Justice were not realized.
These 46 unfulfilled promises highlight the gap between Mahama’s campaign rhetoric and his presidential performance. As he seeks re-election, voters are urged to scrutinize his past record before accepting new promises.
Source: Ghana Web
