President John Dramani Mahama has expressed profound astonishment at the rapid pace of Ghana’s economic recovery, noting that the turnaround has occurred far more quickly than he initially expected when his administration assumed office amidst severe economic difficulties. Addressing congregants at the First Sky Group’s Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, January 25, the President emphasized that the speed of improvement has surpassed both domestic and international expectations, earning commendation from global financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

President Mahama explained that the challenging economic conditions inherited by his government led him to anticipate that it would take at least two years before any tangible signs of recovery would emerge. However, recent developments, he stated, have defied those projections.

He highlighted significant improvements in key macroeconomic indicators, including a sharp reduction in inflation from 23.8 percent to 5.4 percent within a single year, and the robust appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi by 37 percent during the same period, as clear evidence that the economy is rebounding faster than initially thought.

The President attributed these remarkable gains to a combination of prudent economic management, unwavering fiscal discipline, and what he described as divine intervention. “I have done this job before, and the crisis we faced was extremely difficult. In my own estimation, I thought it would take about two years to see an economic turnaround. But this is how far God has brought us,” he remarked.

He further noted the surprise shared by IMF and World Bank officials, stating, “Ghana has now become the poster boy of the IMF and the World Bank.” This renewed confidence, he added, reflects the effectiveness of his government’s economic management and commitment to growth and structural reforms, inspiring other African countries to study Ghana’s policy choices.

Looking ahead, President Mahama expressed strong confidence that Ghana’s economic turnaround will attract global admiration by the end of 2026, predicting that the world will “stand and be clapping for Ghana” as evidence of sustained recovery and growth becomes more visible. He also announced his administration's commitment to continuing national Thanksgiving services to honor God for the achievements recorded under his leadership and the nation’s ongoing development.