President Mahama Warns Ministers: “You Were Appointed to Solve Problems, Not Occupy Space

President John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong message to his ministerial appointees emphasizing the need for results-driven leadership and a break from the old ways of governance. He made the remarks during the opening of a four-day Executive Leadership Programme for Ministerial Appointees held on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

In his address, President Mahama made it clear that ministers were chosen based on their ability to solve problems—not to merely occupy high office. You were not appointed to occupy space. You were appointed to solve problems, he stated. The Ghanaian people expect us to deliver. And we must – not with excuses, but with results.

The President, who recently resumed office has made it a priority to restore public confidence in leadership and strengthen accountability within government. He reminded his team that the era of empty promises and inefficiency must come to an end. The business-as-usual approach will not work. Indeed, it is dead, and we must bury it once and for all, he declared.

Mahama stressed that Ghanaians—particularly the youth, farmers, workers and entrepreneurs—are yearning for change and deserve to live in dignity and prosperity. Our young people are tired of waiting interminably, he said. Our farmers, our workers our entrepreneurs want to live in dignity and prosperity.

He also gave a stern warning to his ministers: Please remember when any of us fall short, I will not hesitate to act.

The Executive Leadership Programme which is ongoing, aims to foster a shared vision among ministers, private sector leaders, and development partners to build a useful, accountable, and responsive governance structure under the new administration.

As President Mahama re-emphasized, accountability, integrity and measurable outcomes will remain central pillars of his government moving forward.