Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, says Ghana’s current post-election calm and optimism in the first year of the Mahama government should be understood in historical context.
He noted that most governments in the Fourth Republic have enjoyed strong public goodwill in their first year.
Speaking on the KeyPoints, Mr Bentil said Ghanaians often forget history quickly, even though it offers important lessons.
“We tend to forget very quickly, especially in Ghana. History is a very good guide,” he said on January 3.
According to him, nearly every president since the Third Republic has enjoyed an intense “honeymoon period,” often driven by relief, hope, and in some cases fear, rather than concrete performance.
Mr Bentil recounted Ghana’s early democratic transitions, recalling the anxiety surrounding the first transfer of power and the disbelief that a sitting leader would step aside peacefully.
In his view, the most recent change of government was not surprising, but deeply therapeutic for the nation.
“Even if this government did nothing, the change itself was therapeutic,” he stated.
Mr Bentil revealed that he described President John Mahama’s return to power as “therapeutic and necessary” in conversations with investors, arguing that Ghanaians simply needed a break from economic distress and public frustration.
While acknowledging the appreciation of the cedi, Mr Bentil cautioned against oversimplifying the reasons behind it.
He pointed out that the dollar has weakened globally, and that while gold-related policies have had an impact, they do not fully explain recent currency movements.
“People talk about gold, but the effect of gold on the cedi today is not even 10 percent if you watch the numbers,” he said.
He argued that timing and restraint have also played a role, noting that government spending has remained relatively low over the past year.
“This government has almost not spent anything, and we’ve gone one year already. When you look at the economics, everything is working in its favour,” he explained.
Mr Bentil described President Mahama as a stabilising force within his government, praising his leadership style and restraint.
“Good presidents tend to be lucky,” he said, adding that President Mahama has acted as “the best dove among the hawks” by calming more extreme voices within government.
Despite his optimism, Mr Bentil said the real test lies ahead, particularly in the next three years.
He challenged government claims of investing five billion dollars in infrastructure without excessive borrowing, stating he would openly commend such an achievement if delivered responsibly.
“The challenge is what happens in the next three years,” he said.
