President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that his administration took over a country in deep crisis, with a fragile economy and weakened governance structures that required urgent and far-reaching reforms.

Speaking during his official three-day state visit to Zambia, the President made the remarks while addressing members of the Ghanaian community living in the country. He reflected on the difficult circumstances under which he assumed office on January 7, 2025.

According to him, the state of the nation at the time demanded immediate intervention to prevent further economic and institutional decline.

“We inherited a country that was sick. The economy was in crisis, and governance was in tatters,” President Mahama said. “We had so many issues in health, education, and agriculture, and most of all, we had defaulted on our debt.”

He explained that Ghana’s debt situation had worsened significantly, with the debt-to-GDP ratio rising above 100 per cent, making it difficult for the country to access international financial support.

“Our debt to GDP had risen above 100%, and nobody wanted to lend to Ghana again,” he added.

The President noted that the country’s debt distress had eroded investor confidence and constrained government spending, affecting key sectors and social services.

He said these realities shaped the message of his campaign during the 2024 general elections, in which he led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) back to power after eight years in opposition.

“So we fought the election and said our objective was to win power and reset Ghana in all sectors,” he stated. “I likened it to resetting a computer to work properly again.”

President Mahama said his campaign team was honest with voters about the depth of the problems facing the country, warning that quick fixes would not be enough to restore stability and growth.

He stressed that his return to office was driven by the need for structural reforms rather than political ambition.

“The goal was not just to win an election,” he explained, “but to fundamentally reset and revive our institutions and economy.”

Since taking office, the Mahama administration has rolled out several economic recovery and governance reform measures, including efforts to stabilise the currency, restructure public debt, and restore confidence in public institutions.

The President’s comments come at a time when the government continues to engage international partners and domestic stakeholders on Ghana’s recovery programme, amid public debate over the pace and impact of reforms.

Addressing the diaspora in Zambia, he assured Ghanaians abroad that his government remains committed to rebuilding the economy and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.

He called for continued support and patience as the country works to overcome the challenges inherited at the start of his administration.