By Beto Cremonte, Teacher, professor of Social Communication and Journalism, graduate of UNLP
Last December’s elections in Ghana represented the return of John Mahama to power, initially on his own merit, but also as a punishment for the current politics in the country. But we cannot leave out of the analysis the political turbulence in the region of West Africa and the Sahel.
John Dramani Mahama’s recent return to the presidency of Ghana, following elections in December 2024, marks a crucial moment not only for his country, but also for the Sahel region and West Africa at large. With a weakened economy, social tensions and growing insecurity in the region, his leadership has the potential to significantly influence events both within and beyond Ghana’s borders.
“Having been elected to the high office of President of the Republic of Ghana, I swear in the name of God that I will be faithful and loyal to the Republic of Ghana,” Mahama said in front of the head of the Ghanaian judiciary, Gertrude Tokornoo.
The remarks by the new president, leader of the centre-left National Democratic Congress (NDC), were followed by the inauguration of Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as vice-president, the first woman to hold that office in the history of Ghana, one of the most stable democracies in Africa.
A comeback in difficult times
Mahama’s victory represents a new mandate for a leader who has already left his mark on Ghana’s political history. After serving as president from 2012 to 2017, his government was marked by infrastructure development and educational reforms, but also by accusations of corruption and economic difficulties. Now, he faces an even more challenging context: an acute economic crisis, with high public debt and rising inflation, which has eroded citizens’ purchasing power.
Mahama has promised to renegotiate the existing agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), simplify regulations to encourage foreign investment, and prioritize sustainable development. These measures not only seek to stabilize the domestic economy, but also position Ghana as a reliable partner.
John Dramani Mahama is a seasoned politician, writer and communicator who has established himself as a central figure in contemporary Ghanaian history. Born on 29 November 1958 in Damongo in the Northern Region of Ghana, he comes from an influential family. He is a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), one of Ghana’s main political parties. Before assuming the presidency for the first time in 2012, he served as Vice President under John Atta Mills and also held key positions as Minister of Communications and as a parliamentarian.
During his first presidential term (2012-2017), Mahama pushed through major infrastructure projects, including roads, schools and rural electrification, but also faced criticism for corruption issues and uneven handling of the economy. His return to power comes in a context where Ghana faces annual inflation of over 30% (based on 2023 data), high youth unemployment and public debt exceeding 100% of GDP. This economic challenge, combined with social discontent, is testing his ability to implement sustainable structural reforms.
Mahama is known for his pragmatic leadership style and ability to communicate with diverse sectors of society. He has also championed an agenda of social inclusion, prioritising education and access to basic services. With his political experience and commitment to sustainable development, he seeks to restore the confidence of the Ghanaian people and lead the country towards greater stability and prosperity.
Ghana’s influence in West Africa
Ghana is considered one of the democratic pillars of West Africa. Mahama’s election reaffirms the political maturity of the country, which has witnessed peaceful democratic transitions since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992. At a time when several countries in the region are facing political crises and coups, such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, Mahama’s leadership could strengthen democratic values and foster regional stability.
According to the World Bank, Ghana is the second largest economy in West Africa after Nigeria, with an estimated GDP of $88 billion in 2023. This position gives it significant economic weight in the region. In addition, the country ranks in the top five in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, reflecting its strength in democratic institutions and governance.
Ghana is also home to the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), a key initiative for African economic integration. This positions the country as a strategic player in promoting intra-African trade, something that could strengthen cooperation with Sahel countries.
In Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the emergence of progressive leaderships has challenged the status quo established by decades of influence from foreign powers, particularly France. These governments have adopted more independent positions, prioritising policies that seek to break with the dependency model known as “Francafrique”. This shift has also been supported by recent decisions by Chad and Côte d’Ivoire, who have also begun to redefine their relations with France and other global actors.
In this context, Ghana could play a mediating and balancing role, promoting an inclusive approach that combines political and economic independence with regional cooperation. Ghana’s democratic experience, coupled with its commitment to stability, positions it as a natural leader in these discussions.
Possible agreements and partnerships with the Sahel
John Mahama had a brief conversation with Ibrahim Traoré during his inauguration, where he said: “I knew Thomas (Sankara) in my youth. My generation admired him deeply. I am happy to see that his ideas are so alive and in the hands of young people like you. I hope that we will work as sister nations. Our continent needs you.”
The Sahel, a region marked by conflict, extreme poverty and climate change, needs coordinated leadership to overcome its challenges. Under President Mahama, Ghana could play a more active role in:
Regional security: Mahama could push for military and intelligence collaboration agreements with Sahel countries to combat terrorism and organised crime. Ghana’s participation in organisations such as ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union will be crucial in this regard. Ghana could allocate additional resources to initiatives such as the Sahel Security Initiative, which seeks to combat extremist insurgency. The Sahel is currently facing a humanitarian crisis with more than 4.8 million displaced people, according to the UN, highlighting the urgency of these actions.
Economic cooperation: Ghana could lead efforts to establish trade corridors connecting its Tema port with landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), these improvements could increase regional trade by 25%. In addition, Ghana could offer more equitable trade agreements in sectors such as mining, agriculture and energy.
Climate change and sustainability: Desertification affects 40% of the Sahel’s territory, leading to food insecurity. Ghana has made progress on reforestation programmes that could be integrated with initiatives such as the Great Green Wall, a pan-African project that seeks to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. This type of collaboration could mitigate the effects of climate change and improve food security in the region.
Challenges and opportunities
Mahama’s leadership will not be without its challenges. Ghana’s economy is in urgent need of reform, and the success of his presidency will depend largely on his ability to meet the high expectations of the citizenry. Moreover, the impact of political decisions on the stability and development of the Sahel will also test his vision and diplomatic skills.
However, if he succeeds in consolidating Ghana’s economy and establishing stronger ties with its neighbors, Mahama could leave a lasting legacy, not only as a national leader, but as a key player in the transformation of West Africa. His return to the presidency represents a new opportunity to reassert Ghana’s role as a model of stability and progress in a region fraught with challenges.
This article was previously published on Pia Global in spanish here, translation by UWI.