President Mahama declares that he will not run in the 2028 elections

President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to enforce strict fiscal discipline ahead of the 2028 general elections, assuring Ghanaians that his government will not succumb to the traditional pattern of election-year overspending.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on a three-day state visit, President Mahama reiterated his respect for Ghana’s constitutional two-term presidential limit, stressing that he will not be on the ballot in 2028.

“I will not be a candidate in the next elections and therefore I can hold the line when it comes to fiscal discipline,” he declared.

Breaking the Cycle of Fiscal Indiscipline

President Mahama condemned the entrenched practice of incumbent governments circumventing fiscal safeguards to fund populist programmes and projects in election years — a trend economists say has repeatedly destabilised Ghana’s economy.

He assured that his administration’s approach will be different, vowing to prioritise sustainable growth and economic stability over short-term political expediency.

Highlighting Economic Gains

The President also used the opportunity to tout his administration’s progress since his return to power after a decisive victory in the 2024 elections. He pointed to rapid declines in inflation and interest rates, as well as a marked appreciation of the cedi, as evidence that his government’s fiscal consolidation efforts are yielding results.

Rebutting Opposition Claims

President Mahama’s statement also serves as a direct rebuttal to claims by members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) that he secretly harbours ambitions of seeking a third term. He reaffirmed that his current tenure will be his last, in line with Ghana’s constitutional provisions.

Strengthening Ties with Singapore

The bilateral talks in Singapore centered on economic cooperation and investment opportunities, with both leaders expressing commitment to deepening trade relations and knowledge exchange in areas such as technology, infrastructure, and human capital development.