Mahama Ayariga has declared that Ghana is witnessing the “fastest economic recovery in history” under President John Dramani Mahama’s second administration, citing sharp improvements in inflation, debt levels and currency stability within a year.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday as the House resumed the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, the Majority Leader said the country had successfully exited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme “with star-studded honours.”
According to him, Ghana’s economic indicators had improved significantly under the current administration, including a reduction in public debt from 65 per cent to 45 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, improved international reserves and a stable cedi.
“The fastest economic recovery in Ghana’s history has been recorded and achieved by version 2.0 of the Mahama-led government,” Mr Ayariga stated.
He credited the recovery to the leadership of the Finance Ministry under Cassiel Ato Forson and the Bank of Ghana, which he said successfully managed and stabilised an IMF programme inherited from the previous administration.
Mr Ayariga revealed that the government had now transitioned to a Policy Coordination Instrument arrangement with the IMF, describing it as a strategic move that would allow Ghana to pursue homegrown reforms while maintaining international investor confidence.
He described the development as a “masterstroke in economic diplomacy,” adding that Parliament would soon be required to approve policies, legislation and budgetary measures to prevent the country from returning to another IMF bailout programme.
Beyond the economy, the Majority Leader announced that Parliament faced an intensive legislative agenda, including constitutional amendment proposals emerging from the Constitution Review Committee’s work.
He disclosed that 48 bills and 26 legislative instruments, motions, statements and committee reports were expected to be considered during the meeting.
Among the key bills listed were the Cyber Security Authority Bill and the Data Protection Bill.
Mr Ayariga also praised Ghana’s improvement in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, where the country climbed to 39th position globally, describing it as evidence of democratic renewal under the National Democratic Congress administration.
He called on Members of Parliament to uphold accountability, patriotism and national unity amid growing democratic instability within the West African sub-region.
With Ghana no longer under an IMF bailout programme, the Majority Leader stressed the need for Parliament to intensify oversight over public spending and ensure resources were channelled into productive sectors of the economy.
He urged parliamentary committees to strengthen local content enforcement, combat smuggling and support tax reforms aimed at protecting domestic industries.
Mr Ayariga further announced that government would accelerate implementation of its flagship 24-Hour Economy programme to create employment opportunities for the youth, while the Finance Minister was expected to brief Parliament on current economic developments.
He also congratulated the Ghana national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, assuring the team of Parliament’s support.
The Majority Leader additionally commended Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Frank Annoh-Dompreh for their recent elections to leadership positions within the Pan-African Parliament.
On the detention of Ohene Kwame Frimpong in the Netherlands over a United States extradition request, Mr Ayariga urged Ghanaians to respect due process and the presumption of innocence.
“History will judge this Ninth Parliament not by the volume of our arguments but by the quality of our contributions to national progress,” he said.
