President Mahama Accelerates ‘Resetting Ghana’ Agenda with Railway Expansion, TOR Turnaround, and Urban Market Redevelopment

President John Mahama’s administration is intensifying its ‘Resetting Ghana’ agenda, characterized by a multi-sectoral push for industrial transformation, urban renewal, and strengthened international partnerships. At the forefront of this effort is a strategic diplomatic initiative led by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is courting resource-rich nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Norway, and Germany to revitalize Ghana’s railway sector. This drive for infrastructure investment is complemented by a thriving partnership with China; during the 77th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Cong Song reported record-breaking bilateral trade of $14.1 billion in 2025. Representing the President, Minister Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening these ties while ensuring all development projects adhere to national laws and priorities.

On the domestic front, the Parliamentary Committee on Energy has lauded a significant turnaround at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). Following an oversight visit led by Chairman Emmanuel Bedzrah, the committee expressed satisfaction with the refinery’s financial and operational recovery under Managing Director Edmond Kombat. While acknowledging the progress on the Crude Distillation Unit, the committee urged the government to secure consistent crude oil supplies to maintain this momentum. Simultaneously, Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga is spearheading the redevelopment of the Nzema and Kokomba markets at Agbogbloshie into modern 24-hour facilities. In Kumasi, Mayor Ofori-Agyemang Boadi echoed this focus on infrastructure, identifying the completion of the Kejetia Market Phase II as a primary government objective.

To ensure sustainable urban growth, the Ministry of Local Government is collaborating with IMANI Africa on comprehensive reforms in sanitation, revenue mobilization, and urban mobility. Key proposals include a digitized property-rate collection system and a reorganized waste management framework for Greater Accra. These policy discussions are happening alongside critical institutional improvements, such as the Fisheries Commission’s inauguration of new co-management committees under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act of 2025, and the Interior Ministry's recent handover of advanced vehicles and safety equipment to the Ghana National Fire Service to enhance emergency response times.

However, the administration’s progress is met with warnings regarding the health of the public service. Sociologist Prof. Kofi Osei Akuoko has cautioned that political interference and a ‘talent exodus’ could undermine essential service delivery, calling for urgent recruitment reforms. Despite these concerns, the government continues to receive grassroots validation. The chiefs of Awutu-Senya recently commended the ‘Big Push’ infrastructure initiative, and in a rare show of bipartisanship, NPP Assemblymen have praised the President for his inclusive local government appointments. As the administration enters its second year, the focus remains on translating these strategic investments into tangible economic value and improved livelihoods for all Ghanaians.