Mahama Administration Garners High First-Year Ratings Amid Efforts to Strengthen Traditional Ties and Revenue Integrity

President John Dramani Mahama has concluded a significant week of state governance and traditional diplomacy, highlighted by his visit to the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC). On February 21, 2026, the President checked on the recovery of the King, who had been involved in a road accident in the Oti Region on February 17 while returning from a visit to the Northern Region. The Ga Mantse, who was reported to be in stable condition, was discharged shortly after the presidential visit, which served to reinforce the strong relationship between the current administration and the Ga Stool.

This high-profile visit coincides with a positive assessment of the administration’s first year back in office. Renowned media personality Nana Aba Anamoah, speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, graded President Mahama’s first-year performance between 75% and 80%. She commended the government for bringing stability to the economy following the turbulent years of the previous administration. Anamoah particularly highlighted a shift toward more humble and responsive leadership, praising the proactive roles of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Gender Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

However, the administration continues to grapple with systemic challenges in revenue collection and industrial infrastructure. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson recently issued a stern critique of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), citing negligence that led to substantial revenue losses through smuggling. This criticism triggered a national conversation about the legacy of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, whose 2010 crusade against customs corruption was widely shared on social media as a call for renewed integrity in public service.

On the industrial front, Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, has raised alarms regarding utility constraints affecting local manufacturing. During the launch of a new steel ball mill at Ningo, the MP emphasized that inconsistent power and water supplies are threatening industrial expansion. He urged the government to improve coordination between the trade and finance ministries to create better tax conditions and provide the reliable infrastructure necessary to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imports.

As the Mahama administration enters its second year, it appears to be balancing high public approval for its leadership style with the urgent need to address infrastructure gaps and institutional corruption. The coming months will likely focus on whether the government can translate its current political capital into lasting reforms within the revenue sector and the utility grid, ensuring that the economic stability praised by observers can support a full-scale industrial transformation.