Ghana’s economy no longer standing on ‘broomsticks’ – Mahama 

By: Godbless Asaana ‎
‎President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s economy has become more resilient to external shocks, contrasting its current strength with what he described as a fragile economy in the past.
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‎He likened the transformation to a shift from an economy standing on “broomsticks” to one supported by “concrete pillars.”
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‎Speaking at a citizens’ engagement on Saturday 12 September, 2026, in Wa as part of his “Resetting Ghana” tour of the Upper West Region, President Mahama said Ghana had previously been vulnerable to major developments in the global economy.
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‎“In the past, Ghana’s economy used to stand on broomsticks. As soon as something happens in the world, it comes crashing down,” he said.
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‎According to him, the economy is now better positioned to withstand significant external shocks without suffering the kind of instability experienced in previous years.
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‎“Today Ghana’s economy is standing on concrete pillars. So even when there’s an earthquake, the country is still standing,” he said.
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‎President Mahama said the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict could have had a much more severe impact on Ghana’s economy in previous years but argued that the situation had been effectively managed.
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‎“In the past, this Iran-Israel-US war, if it had happened some years back, by now the economy would have come crashing down. But happily it’s been well managed,” he said.
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‎He added that Ghana could have recorded economic growth of as much as 7 per cent this year but for the impact of external developments beyond the government’s control.
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‎“We would have made more progress this year than even last year. I’m sure the growth would have hit 7%, but of course we live in this world and we can’t help but be affected,” he said.
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‎President Mahama also disclosed that preparations for the 2027 Budget had begun, with budget hearings already underway.
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‎“There’s going to be the new budget 2027, and the budget hearings have currently started, and I’m sure that we’ll capture as many of the essential things that we need to capture as possible,” he said.
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‎Meanwhile, President Mahama has dismissed reports that the government intends to introduce Arabic or Chinese as compulsory subjects in all public schools.
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‎He said the Cabinet, which he chairs, had not taken any decision to introduce such a policy, although he did not elaborate on the source of the reports.