As an everyday Ghanaian moving through the busy markets of Accra, the dusty roads of Kumasi, and the quiet villages up north, Portia Nana Akua Pinamang observes that President John Dramani Mahama’s first year back in office from January 2025 to date has been a blend of relief and lingering frustration. From her perspective, this assessment is not about party loyalty or campaign rhetoric, but about daily realities that affect livelihoods, households, and future expectations.

One of the earliest and most noticeable positives, she notes, has been the steady supply of electricity across the country. The absence of frequent power cuts has allowed small businesses to operate consistently and students to study without disruption. Though not dramatic, this stability has made a real difference to families who previously struggled with spoiled food, interrupted work, and extra expenses.

Fuel prices have also brought some relief. With petrol selling at about GH¢10.36 and diesel around GH¢11.36, transportation costs have eased slightly. While prices are still high for many, she believes the reduction has helped drivers, traders, and commuters manage daily expenses more effectively.

Beyond these early gains, Portia Nana Akua Pinamang points out that the wider economy appears to be stabilizing after years of pressure. Inflation has slowed, growth is improving, and the cedi has shown strength, beginning 2026 at roughly GH¢10.30 to the dollar. For households, this has meant fewer sudden increases in the prices of basic items such as rice, tomatoes, and cooking essentials. The reduction in VAT has also returned significant money into circulation, giving families a modest cushion for school fees and household needs.

She highlights government spending restraint, including the removal of the COVID levy and the avoidance of new taxes, as a factor that has prevented additional pressure on citizens. Infrastructure development has been another visible area of progress, with more than 2,000 kilometres of roads undergoing rehabilitation. In many rural communities, this has reduced travel stress and vehicle damage, improving access to markets and services. On the international front, meeting IMF targets and building foreign reserves to record levels has restored some confidence that Ghana is no longer on the brink of economic collapse.

In terms of governance, Portia Nana Akua Pinamang observes a renewed emphasis on accountability. She notes fewer major corruption scandals dominating public discussion and a growing perception of transparency. The promise to review the Single Spine Salary Structure and pensions has raised expectations among public sector workers, even though concrete outcomes are still awaited. Modest improvements in education and health, such as steady district fund releases and incremental salary adjustments, have translated into better school supplies and improved maintenance in some clinics. National security has remained largely stable, and youth focused reforms suggest planning for the future, even if results are not yet fully visible.

For her, the strongest achievement of the past year has been the restoration of public trust and hope. Early approval ratings reflected a sense that citizens felt listened to again. The relative calm in the economy, combined with efforts to address illegal mining, has boosted optimism. In some communities, rivers previously damaged by galamsey are beginning to clear, offering renewed hope for farming and access to cleaner water. Overall, she describes the national mood as cautiously optimistic, with a sense that the country is regaining direction.

However, she also points to significant challenges. Prices of food and transport, although easing, remain high for families with limited incomes. Some campaign promises have been delayed or remain unfulfilled, leading to frustration among traders and workers who expected faster relief. Youth unemployment continues to weigh heavily on the nation, particularly in agriculture, where training programmes have yet to attract young people back to farming, pushing many toward urban migration and informal work.

Deeper concerns persist in critical sectors. Health workers, especially nurses and midwives, have faced unpaid salaries due to validation challenges, triggering protests and affecting morale in health facilities. Road safety remains a major issue, with poor road conditions posing daily risks to commuters. Access to basic documentation such as birth certificates is another hidden challenge, leaving many citizens unable to access services, employment, or civic rights.

The most troubling issues, in her view, lie in environmental damage and public trust. Despite ongoing crackdowns, illegal mining continues to pollute rivers and farmlands, making clean water scarce in affected areas and increasing health risks. She also raises concerns about media independence and declining confidence in public institutions. While economic indicators appear positive on paper, she cautions that underlying problems, such as thousands of trained but unemployed nurses, point to deeper structural weaknesses.

In conclusion, Portia Nana Akua Pinamang views President Mahama’s first year as one that has rekindled hope through visible improvements in power supply, economic stability, and governance. At the same time, unresolved challenges in environmental protection, employment, and access to basic services remain. From her perspective, a foundation has been laid, but sustaining these gains and translating them into lasting benefits for all citizens will determine the true success of the administration.