President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that he will ensure that they benefit from the second opportunity given him to govern this country.
According to him, Ghanaians expect so much of him in his second coming, thus he will not disappoint.
“This is why I’ve decided to make this second mandate so graciously granted to me by Ghanaians count. I’ve pledged to raise our economy and governance to a level that no succeeding government can reverse,” the President said on January 6.
He was speaking at the 77th edition of the Annual New Year School and Conference hosted by the University of Ghana in Accra.
The event is themed “Building the Ghana We Want, Together for Sustainable Development.
In attendance are policymakers and academics who are discussing the future of the nation’s development.
Touching on security within the West African sub-region, President Mahama noted that, “In a region where democracy is backsliding, we must demonstrate that democracy works and that our people can have faith in their leaders to uphold their interests and create opportunities for national prosperity.”
He said the economic gains made by his government in the last 12 months will be sustained.
“I can assure Ghanaians also that we will not relax the current fiscal discipline and efficient management of the economy even in the election year of 2028,” President Mahama stressed.
He used the occasion to announce the construction of a massive 10,000-bed student hostel at the University of Ghana, to support the country’s tertiary education infrastructure.
The President described the project as a critical move to address the chronic accommodation challenges and safety risks faced by students.
The President revealed that the project stems from a bilateral agreement signed during a recent official visit to Singapore. According to the President, the hostel will utilize prefabricated building technology, where components are manufactured in a factory and assembled on-site.
“This is going to be a prefabricated building. It means the building will be manufactured somewhere and then assembled on campus,” President Mahama explained. He further disclosed that preparations are already in advanced stages, with the necessary machinery for the manufacturing factory currently being shipped from Singapore to Accra.
President Mahama framed the announcement as a response to the growing vulnerability of students who are forced to live off-campus. He referenced a recent social media post by Professor Kweku Azar, which highlighted the stark contrast between the ease of campus housing in previous decades and the “ordeal” students face today.
He emphasized that the housing deficit has evolved into a life-threatening safety issue. He cited tragic incidents where students commuting from distant private residences were victims of road accidents or armed robberies.
“It is preferable that we have as many of our students living on campus, or as close to campus as possible,” the President stated, noting that the “good news” had already been shared with the University’s Vice-Chancellor.
The hostel project aligns with the President’s “Reset Agenda” and the broader vision for 2026, which he previously designated as a year of “acceleration and expansion”. In his 2026 New Year message, Mahama pledged to “continue digitalising our schools” and ensure world-class education for every child. This new infrastructure project serves as a physical manifestation of that commitment to the tertiary sector.
Accra-Kumasi Expressway Update
In addition to the educational sector, the President addressed infrastructure concerns regarding the Accra–Kumasi highway.
”Accra is the biggest city… Kumasi is the next biggest city… and the traffic between these two cities is a shame,” Mahama remarked.
He assured the nation that he intends to cut sod for the Accra–Kumasi Expressway early this year as part of his “Big Push” infrastructure drive.
