A civil society group Arise Ghana has called for a broad, inclusive national conversation regarding the country’s progress over the past year and its future trajectory under President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ghana International Press Center (GJA Headquarters), Marion Gifty Nyaaba, co-convener of the group, emphasised that the purpose of their reflection is not for a fleeting headline but for long-term change and accountability.

“What we discuss today is not designed for a single news cycle or a viral headline. It is crafted to endure, to withstand the rigours of scrutiny, the passage of time, and the unyielding judgment of history itself,” Nyaaba said.

“This will continue in our homes, offices, media, and indeed on social media, including Arise Ghana’s social media handles.”

She underlined that Arise Ghana's efforts are not meant to praise those in power or make unfounded condemnations, but rather to spark honest, national reflection.

“Our purpose is far more profound: to engage in an honest, unflinching reflection on the state of Ghana,” she added.

The event, which is being described as a non-partisan initiative, is aimed at triggering a dialogue that transcends party lines and regional divides.

Arise Ghana invited citizens from across the country, from the busy markets of Accra to the serene farms of the Volta Region, to participate in a reflective process that demands the government fulfill its campaign promises terms the group regards as a "Social Contract."

“We are here to examine where we stood just one year ago, where we find ourselves today, and the trajectory we are charting for tomorrow under the legacy term of President John Dramani Mahama,” Ms Nyaaba said.

The co-convener explained that Ghana stands at a crossroads and it is crucial to reflect now rather than allow complacency or denial to steer the nation off course.

Drawing lessons from other nations such as Singapore and Rwanda, which rose from crisis through constant self-assessment, she said, “Ghana, with its rich legacy as the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence, deserves no less."

Ms Nyaaba stressed that such a reflection would not be an exercise in self-congratulation nor self-flagellation.

“It is, at its core, a simple yet profound inquiry: Are we, as a people, moving in the right direction?” she posed.

A major theme of Arise Ghana's press briefing was the importance of examining the country's current state in light of the hardships faced a year ago.

Ms Nyaaba recalled the significant economic challenges Ghana was grappling with high inflation, a depreciating cedi, and mounting public debt before Arise Ghana mobilised citizens for change.

“Last year, Ghana was not just uncomfortable; we were cornered trapped in a web of economic turmoil, social unrest, and institutional fragility,” Ms Nyaaba noted. “Change has come, but we must guard the change not just in government, but in the way we are governed.”

While acknowledging that the struggles faced last year still serve as a benchmark for measuring progress, Nyaaba made it clear that this assessment was not about assigning blame.

"It is about learning lessons," she said. "It is about ensuring that the sacrifices of ordinary Ghanaians farmers, traders, students are not in vain.”

Ms Nyaaba pointed to tangible signs of improvement. Inflation, which had spiralled to 23 percent in January 2025, had fallen to a manageable 6.3 percent.

Foreign reserves have surged to more than $11 billion, and public debt has been restructured. “These are not cosmetic tweaks or statistical illusions; they represent hard-fought gains in economic stabilisation,” Nyaaba said.

However, while the country had stabilised, Nyaaba warned that stability alone is not enough. “Stability is merely the foundation, not the edifice of prosperity,” she said, highlighting the need for continued vigilance against corruption.

“These improvements stem from policy discipline, international partnerships, and domestic resilience proof that when Ghanaians unite behind sound strategies, progress is possible."

One of the most significant changes in the past year has been the stabilisation of the Ghanaian cedi. Ms Nyaaba described the cedi’s recovery as “a remarkable turnaround,” adding that it was now one of the top-performing currencies globally.

“The cedi stabilises between 10.4 and 10.6 to the dollar a remarkable turnaround that positions it as one of the world’s top-performing currencies in 2025,” she said.

Tax reliefs have also played a pivotal role in improving the economic environment. The removal of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, the abolition of the E-Levy, and tax reforms aimed at easing production have injected billions of cedis back into the economy.

“Critics might argue that tax cuts risk revenue shortfalls, but evidence suggests otherwise,” Ms Nyaaba explained. “By broadening the tax base through formalisation and growth, revenues can stabilise or even increase.”

A key issue raised during the briefing was the persistent threat of corruption. Ms Nyaaba insisted that governance in Ghana must remain a work in progress, urging the authorities to follow through with anti-corruption initiatives and hold accountable those responsible for past misdeeds.

“As part of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, we call for the immediate arrest and extradition of Ken Ofori-Atta to face justice in Ghana,” Ms Nyaaba demanded.

The co-convener stressed that “investigations must culminate in robust prosecutions, and those must yield fair convictions,” warning that failure in this regard could undermine the country’s democratic progress.

Ms Nyaaba outlined several areas for further development, including the gold sector, where Ghana has long been a major producer yet failed to reap the full benefits of its resources.

The establishment of GoldBod, a state-run gold aggregation system, is one step in reclaiming control over the country’s gold reserves, she explained.

Similarly, she called for a push to add value to the cocoa industry by processing it domestically, which would create jobs and retain more revenue within Ghana.

Additionally, Nyaaba highlighted the importance of cultural identity, with projects like the Black Star Experience spearheaded by Rex Omar, which aim to harness Ghana’s cultural and creative industries as an economic engine.

Ms Nyaaba affirmed that Ghana has made significant strides in stabilising its economy, but there remains much work to be done.

She urged all Ghanaians to engage in the ongoing national reflection and to continue pushing for accountability in governance.

“History judges by deeds institutions fortified, discipline embraced, courage displayed,” she said. “The Black Star demands responsibility, and we intend to partner with you the media, civil society organisations, and the people of Ghana to deliver in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.”