Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Eric Kevin Elikem Kotoko, believes there are only two countries on the continent whose Presidents are delivering for their people, currently.
He says Burkinabé President, Ibrahim Traoré and Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama are the only duo who have demonstrated themselves as global icons in terms of current leadership in the region.
Speaking on TV3’s BigIssue segment on the NewDay morning show on Monday, October 6, 2025, he said the President, apart from the illegal mining menace, also known as galamsey, has walked his talk.
“If you look at generally when he assumed office till today, he has been very consistent with what he intends to do. He knows where we are going and you’ll agree with me that there are no known challenges now that anybody can mention.”
Commenting on President Mahama’s nine month in office, Kotoko commended the performance so far, lauding his party’s achievement on the economy. “Inflation is stable as discussed.”
According to him, with the measures the government has put in place, regarding what is contained in their manifesto, he is certain they will contain the menace the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana has described as a public health emergency.
“Everybody now will tell that the only thing left for us is to cure this canker of galamsey, and that, coupled with other things contained in the manifesto which are definitely supposed to be seen through in the four-year period, one would say that President Mahama has given a very stellar performance and he’s making a strong case for himself, not only in Ghana but even on the international stage; he’s become a global icon.
“I can tell you that there are currently two Presidents in Africa, Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso and President Mahama of Ghana,” he stated.
He maintained that the government’s performance is worth applauding, having met the expectations of the citizenry as contained in the party’s manifesto.
“Right from Day One, he’s been walking the talk. He’s making sure that he’s not only delivering on the deliverables, meeting the expectations of Ghanaians, but also delivering according to what is contained in the NDC Manifesto blueprint,” he maintained.
President Mahama’s second term has focused on economic recovery, infrastructure development, job creation, and improving public services.
While acknowledging challenges in fighting illegal mining, ‘galamsey’, Kotoko said the President remains committed to winning the fight with the right instruments in place.
The administration’s success will depend on effective policy implementation, addressing debt challenges, and tackling galamsey.
‘Mahama has been walking the talk right from day one’ – Elikem Kotoko
