President Mahama Touts Economic Resilience in Upper West Tour as Teachers and Opposition Demand Urgent Action

President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana's economy is now anchored on "concrete pillars" and possesses the resilience to withstand global external shocks. Speaking during an accountability engagement in Wa as part of his #ResettingGhana Tour, the President credited his administration's prudent management for stabilizing the economy despite international tensions such as the Iran-Israel-US conflict. During the tour, the President announced a planned annual investment of GH₵2.5 billion across five key sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and tourism, aimed at driving job creation for the nation's youth through private sector partnerships. He also addressed governance issues, confirming the establishment of a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee and dismissing rumors that Arabic and Chinese would be made compulsory subjects in the national school curriculum.

In the Upper West Region, the focus on decentralization has been supported by the disbursement of GH₵101,902,000 from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) as of the end of the second quarter of 2023. Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing reported that these funds, representing roughly 25% of the annual allocation, are being utilized for critical infrastructure including healthcare facilities, classroom blocks, and road networks across 11 districts. President Mahama personally inspected several initiatives, including the construction of a 24-Hour Economy Market in Poyentanga and the proposed site for the Upper West Regional Airport. He emphasized that timely fund disbursement is essential for empowering district assemblies to meet specific community needs and improve the livelihoods of persons with disabilities.

Despite the government's optimistic outlook, the administration faces criticism from the opposition and organized labor regarding regional development and legacy debts. Dr. Mahama Tia Abdul-Kabiru, the NPP Member of Parliament for Walewale, expressed disappointment over what he termed the slow pace of development in the North East Region. He noted that the region has been excluded from key initiatives such as regional university plans and World Bank-backed road rehabilitation projects, despite its vital role in national food production. Simultaneously, the Association of Aggrieved Teachers of Legacy Arrears (2012–2015) has petitioned President Mahama to intervene in the payment of outstanding four-year arrears. The group noted that while the previous NPP administration failed to settle these claims, they are hopeful the President will prioritize their financial relief given his history with the matter.

On the economic front, the political discourse remains heated as the NPP continues to defend its previous record. Tano North MP Gideon Boako recently highlighted that the "21st Century Gold Standard" was successfully piloted under former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Boako cited the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the Gold-for-Oil initiative as modern monetary management tools that significantly bolstered Ghana's gold reserves from eight to over 31 tonnes. As President Mahama continues his tour, the balance between showcasing current infrastructure gains and addressing these lingering economic and regional grievances remains a central theme of his administration's agenda.