Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his administration is reforming the country's governance systems to strengthen accountability, fight corruption, and ensure public resources are used more efficiently for the benefit of citizens. The reforms aim to improve transparency and channel public funds towards their intended purposes. This move is part of a broader effort to make government more accountable and manage national resources effectively. President Mahama made these remarks at the Accra Reset event in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The Accra Reset event, themed "Full Circle: Making Global Development Work Again," brought together stakeholders to discuss global development, governance, financing, and the need to reshape development systems. President Mahama emphasized that reforming Ghana's governance systems remains a key priority, particularly in the areas of accountability, public finances, and the management of national resources. He cited the decision to uncap funding for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as one of the first steps taken by his administration after assuming office.
President Mahama criticized the previous government's management of statutory funds, arguing that the system had restricted the resources available to the NHIS and other statutory institutions. He said that the previous government had put a cap on all statutory funds, and funds exceeding the prescribed percentage of the national budget were transferred into the Consolidated Fund. This move, according to President Mahama, was used largely for programmes intended to secure political support.
According to President Mahama, the excess funds in the Consolidated Fund were used mostly for programmes that would buy political patronage and put the government in a better position to win elections. He emphasized that his administration is making government more accountable, fighting corruption, and making more efficient use of resources than in the past. This move is expected to ensure that public funds are channelled towards their intended purposes.
The President's remarks highlight the government's commitment to improving transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. The review of systems and financial arrangements within the public sector aims to ensure that public funds are used efficiently for the benefit of citizens. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen governance systems and fight corruption.
President Mahama's administration has taken steps to address the issue of corruption and ensure that public resources are used efficiently. The uncapping of funding for the NHIS is seen as a major step towards ensuring that statutory institutions have the resources they need to function effectively. The government's efforts to make public funds more transparent and accountable are expected to have a positive impact on the country's development.
The Accra Reset event provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss global development and governance issues. President Mahama's remarks at the event highlighted the need for countries to take ownership of their development and for development systems to be responsive to the needs of countries and their populations. The government's commitment to reforming governance systems and fighting corruption is seen as a positive step towards ensuring that public resources are used efficiently for the benefit of citizens.
Key points
- President Mahama's administration is reforming Ghana's governance systems to strengthen accountability and fight corruption.
- The government is reviewing systems and financial arrangements within the public sector to improve transparency and ensure that public funds are channelled towards their intended purposes.
- President Mahama cited the decision to uncap funding for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as one of the first steps taken by his administration after assuming office.
