As President John Dramani Mahama wraps up his first four months in office following his re-election in the 2024 general elections, scrutiny is mounting over the status of his widely-promoted 120-day social contract with Ghanaians.
Announced shortly after assuming office, the social contract outlined a set of targeted actions and deliverables in areas such as corruption, economy, education, infrastructure, and governance reforms. While the presidency claims progress has been made, analysts and civil society groups argue that key promises remain unfulfilled or only partially addressed.
Highlights: What Has Been Achieved
- Fuel price stabilization measures implemented through subsidies and regulatory enforcement.
- Investigations initiated into alleged financial mismanagement, including the 2024 African Games scandal.
- Partial rollout of the youth employment and entrepreneurship programme.
- Resumption of stalled road and housing projects in urban centers.
Outstanding Promises Raise Concerns
Despite some movement, several headline promises remain incomplete:
- No significant legislation yet on anti-corruption and procurement transparency.
- School feeding expansion and reforms delayed amid contract terminations.
- Power sector restructuring still ongoing, with clarity needed on ECG’s future.
- Concerns over press freedom and the treatment of judicial institutions following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Mixed Reactions from Public and Opposition
While government spokespersons describe the progress as “steady and strategic,” the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and independent watchdogs are calling for a more transparent accounting of achievements and missed deadlines.
“The 120-day social contract is not just a slogan. Ghanaians want results, not excuses,” said a policy analyst from the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).
President Mahama’s Assurance
In a national address marking the end of the 120-day period, President Mahama acknowledged the partial fulfillment but urged Ghanaians to remain patient as his administration works to lay long-term foundations.
“We have not completed every promise, but we are on course. This is a government that listens, learns, and delivers,” he said.
Conclusion: Eyes on the Next Phase
With the first 120 days now behind him, President Mahama’s social contract performance will likely shape public perception going into the mid-term review. Ghanaians are watching closely to see whether promises made translate into measurable, timely outcomes.
So, what is the scorecard for the President’s first 120 days?
According to a detailed assessment by JoyNews Research, Mahama’s administration has achieved a 52% completion rate.
In the breakdown ahead, we present the specifics: which promises have been delivered, which are in progress, and which remain pending. Let’s get into the details.
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