While Ghana welcomes the new birth of 2026, President John Dramani Mahama highlighted the country’s new ambitious national agenda, which is mainly focused on strengthening healthcare and education as well as food security, which is a signal of commitment to improving access to the region’s essential services as well as sustainable developments. In his address on New Year’s on January 1st, 2026, the president highlighted initiatives which are designed mainly to ensure that every Ghanaian citizen ends up benefiting from advancements in technology, provision in healthcare, education and even productivity in agriculture.
In regard to education, his plan is only a simple, yet major push to make sure schools throughout the country will have digital training tools and interactive resources, as well as internet connection. By equipping these classrooms with these resources, the main aim of the government is to connect education between rural and urban areas, making sure every child gets a fair chance in school.
Along with education, the President highlighted the importance of expanding healthcare facilities. The government’s Free Primary Health Treatment Program would be extended to guarantee that all Ghanaians, regardless of their financial situation, have access to necessary medical treatment. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund will lower treatment costs and improve public health outcomes by offering financial assistance to individuals with long-term conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. These actions are mainly done to support communities in managing their health requirements, which are needed in the long term, as well as to boost the country’s healthcare sector and increase preparation for medical emergencies.
Mahama’s speech also focused heavily on agricultural development as well as food security. The President presented plans to use modern farming methods, mechanisation, and better market access to move Ghana’s agricultural industry from subsistence farming to economically focused output. To encourage a more stable as well as domestic market, so that the reliance on imports would lessen, public institutions, including schools, were encouraged to give their main focus to locally grown foods, which include rice, maize, chicken and eggs. In addition to improving food availability as well as affordability, these actions are also made to boost the economies in the rural areas, make sure that farmers receive a steady income, and increase resilience to changes in the world’s food supply as well as climate-related issues. These administration plans mainly aim to establish a firm, self-sufficient system in agriculture that can support both domestic demands as well as the growth of the country’s economy.
Beyond education and healthcare, President Mahama placed particular emphasis on strengthening agriculture as a cornerstone of Ghana’s long-term development and economic resilience. The administration plans to scale up support for farmers through expanded access to modern farming equipment, improved irrigation systems, and wider use of climate-resilient agricultural practices. By increasing investment in domestic food production, the government aims to reduce dependence on imports, stabilise food prices, and safeguard national food security. Public institutions, including schools and state agencies, will continue to prioritise the procurement of locally produced staples, create reliable markets for farmers, and boost rural incomes. These efforts are expected to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve livelihoods in farming communities, and reinforce Ghana’s capacity to meet its food needs in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
President Mahama made sure to state at the end of his speech that the plans of 2026, along with the increased access to healthcare and education, are intended to put agriculture at the center of the national growth. The government aims to increase the availability of food, strengthen economic stability, and develop resilience against market and climate shocks by boosting production, assisting the regional producers, and also encouraging sustainable use of land. The initiatives mark an important commitment to agricultural reform as Ghana starts off the new year, placing the industry as an encouragement for fair growth and a cornerstone for the regions long-term prosperity.
