President John Dramani Mahama has officially opened the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana (UG), urging Ghanaians to embrace national consensus, discipline and long-term planning in building a resilient and inclusive nation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Mahama reflected on his personal journey at UG, recounting how his time at Commonwealth Hall shaped his confidence and leadership. He described the experience as transformative, crediting it for helping him grow from a shy young man into a confident public speaker.

The president also announced major infrastructure and education initiatives, including plans for a 10,000-bed student hostel at the University of Ghana through a prefabricated construction model originating from Singapore. He assured that similar facilities would later be extended to other universities, including KNUST and UDS.

Turning to the conference theme, “Building the Ghana We Want Together for Sustainable Development,” President Mahama said Ghana had reached a defining moment in its democratic journey, where the focus must shift from political rhetoric to implementation, continuity and national interest.

He stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved through short-term policies that change with every administration. To this end, he said his second mandate would focus on strengthening institutions and entrenching economic and governance reforms that future governments would be unable to reverse.

Five Pillars for a Sustainable Ghana

President Mahama outlined five key pillars underpinning his vision for sustainable development:

A Productive and Resilient Economy

He announced policies to promote value addition to Ghana’s minerals, petroleum and agricultural products, alongside the rollout of the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, aimed at boosting manufacturing, logistics and job creation.

He cited improvements in macroeconomic indicators, including a reduction in debt-to-GDP and increased foreign reserves, and disclosed major investments under the Big Push Programme, including the planned Accra–Kumasi Expressway and a new Green Digital City to decongest Accra.

Human Capital Development

Emphasising education and skills development, the President reaffirmed government support for quality education at all levels and pledged increased funding for digital skills initiatives, including the Digital Youth Village at the University of Ghana.

Good Governance and Accountability

President Mahama announced plans to establish an Independent Value for Money Office and to pass the Code of Conduct for Public Officers Bill to strengthen accountability. He reiterated the ban on first-class travel by public officials, describing leadership by example as essential to restoring public trust.

Environmental Stewardship and Climate Resilience

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to combating illegal mining, protecting forests and water bodies, and promoting climate-smart development, urging enforcement agencies not to relent despite resistance.

Inclusion and National Cohesion

The President acknowledged gaps in the implementation of the Affirmative Action Law and pledged reforms to ensure greater female representation on governing boards and in leadership. He stressed that national progress must be measured not only by economic growth, but by reduced inequality and improved quality of life.

President Mahama concluded by commending the University of Ghana and the School of Continuing and Distance Education for sustaining the New Year School for over seven decades, describing it as a vital platform for national reflection and policy influence.

He urged participants to translate dialogue into action and reaffirmed that the “Ghana we want” is achievable through unity, integrity and sustained commitment.

President Mahama then formally declared the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference open.