Not Running in 2028 Will Help Me Control Election-Year Spending – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has said his decision not to seek re-election in 2028 will put him in a stronger position to control fiscal discipline and stop the usual election-year overspending that has caused repeated economic crises.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his three-day state visit, President Mahama criticized the practice of incumbent governments breaking fiscal rules to win favor with voters.

He promised to maintain strict spending controls leading up to the 2028 elections, saying “I will not be a candidate in the next elections and therefore I can hold the line when it comes to fiscal discipline.”

President Mahama confirmed his commitment to Ghana’s two-term presidential limit, which means he will not contest the 2028 elections after serving his current and final term.

The President also talked about the progress his administration has made since returning to office after winning the 2024 elections. He pointed to rapid drops in inflation and interest rates, as well as the cedi’s recovery in value.

The bilateral talks in Singapore focused on economic cooperation and investment between the two countries.

President Mahama’s pledge to avoid election-year spending comes as Ghana works to recover from economic difficulties that have been worsened by government overspending during previous election periods.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD