John Mahama's first tenure as President of Ghana began when he succeeded John Atta Mills following the latter's death in office on 24 July 2012. Mahama previously served as Vice-President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012, and is the first head of state of Ghana to have been born after the country's independence. He was elected after the December 2012 election for a full term as president.
Upon assuming office, Mahama continued the Better Ghana Agenda policy vision initiated by his predecessor. He contested re-election for a second term in the 2016 election, but lost to the New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. This made him the first president in the history of Ghana to not have won a second term consecutively. He left office on 7 January 2017, and was re-elected as president in 2024.
2012 general election
Incumbent president John Mahama was declared winner of the presidential election with just 50.7% of the vote, a few thousand votes over the threshold for avoiding a run-off election. Nana Akufo-Addo on the other hand received 47.74%. However, the opposition did not accept the results and accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of tampering with the results. The opposition filed a petition at the Ghanaian Supreme Court to review the election results but Mahama was declared as president, winning a full term.
Reactions
The non-partisan Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) all declared that the elections were, for the most part, free and fair. Despite this, there were still widespread allegations of voting irregularities, though these were dismissed as unsubstantiated by the electoral commission chairman. As a result of these claims, the New Patriotic Party immediately rejected the results upon their release and its candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, remarked that his party's leaders would be meeting on 11 December to consider their options, one of which is to contest the results by lodging an appeal in court. Violent opposition was however ruled out.
African Union commission chairman Thomas Boni Yayi flew to Ghana to meet with the two men. He was also reported to have congratulated Mahama on his victory, and charged him to preside over an all-inclusive government. Yayi praised the conduct and the participants of the election.
In anticipation of petitions regarding the election, Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has established two public complaints secretariats to swiftly process such concerns. In a statement after being declared the victor, Mahama gave a reconciliatory message, saying "I wish to welcome my fellow candidates to join me now as partners in the project of nation building and of creating a better Ghana".
Inauguration Mahama was inaugurated on 7 January 2013. Thirteen African Heads of State, one Prime Minister, two Vice-Presidents and 18 government delegations across the world attended his inaugural ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra when Mahama was sworn-in to begin his own four-year term. He said in parliament upon being sworn in: This is the saddest day in our nation's history. Tears have engulfed our nation and we are deeply saddened and distraught and I'm personally devastated, I've lost a father, I've lost a friend, I've lost a mentor and a senior comrade. Ghana is united in grief at this time for our departed president.
Ministers and administration
Initial ministers before the 2012 general election All the ministers had appointed by President Mills as part of his government. They continued to serve until January 2013 when his term would have ended. The exception was Henry Kamel, who died after the 7 December election but before the formal handover on 7 January 2013. The ministers were advised to stay on as caretaker ministers until new ones had been confirmed in their place. Former CabinetPresidentJohn Dramani Mahama2012 – January 2017Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur 2012 – January 2017Cabinet MinistersOffice(s) Officeholder TermMinister for Foreign Affairs and Regional IntegrationMuhammad Mumuni2012 – 2013Minister for the InteriorWilliam Kwasi Aboah 2012 – 2013Minister for Finance and Economic PlanningKwabena Dufuor2012 – 2013Minister for DefenceLt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith2012 – 2013 Attorney General and Minister for Justice Benjamin Kunbuor2012 – 2013Minister for Education Lee Ocran2012 – 2013Minister for Food and AgricultureKwesi Ahwoi2012 – 2013Minister for Trade and IndustryHanna Tetteh2012 – 2013Minister for HealthAlban Bagbin (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for Local Government and Rural DevelopmentSamuel Kwame Ofosu-Ampofo2012 – 2013Minister for TourismAkua Sena Dansua (MP) 2012 – 2013Minister for EnergyJoe Oteng-Adjei2012 – 2013Minister for TransportCollins Dauda (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for Roads and HighwaysJoe Kwashie Gidisu (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for Lands and Natural ResourcesMike Allen Hammah (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for Women and Children's AffairsJuliana Azumah-Mensah (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for CommunicationsHaruna Iddrisu2012 – 2013Minister for Environment, Science and TechnologySherry Ayitey2012 – 2013 Minister for InformationFritz Baffour (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for Employment and Social WelfareMoses Asaga (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for Water Resources, Works and HousingEnoch Teye Mensah (MP)2012 – 2013Minister for Youth and SportsClement Kofi Humado (MP) 2012 – 2013Minister for Chieftaincy and CultureAlexander Asum-Ahensah (MP)2012 – 2013Regional MinistersRegion Officeholder TermAshanti RegionDr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah2012 – 2013Brong Ahafo RegionKwadwo Nyamekye Marfo2012 – 2013Central RegionAma Benyiwa-Doe2012 – 2013Eastern RegionVictor Emmanuel Smith2012 – 2013Greater Accra Regional MinisterNii Armah Ashitey2012 – 2013Northern RegionMoses Magbenba2012 – 2013Upper East RegionMark Woyongo (MP)2012 – 2013Upper West RegionAmin Amidu Sulemana2012 – 2013Volta Regional MinisterHenry Ford Kamel (MP)2012 – 25 Dec 2012
Ministers from 2013 to 2017 Current CabinetOffice(s) Officeholder TermPresidentJohn Dramani Mahama2012 – 2017Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur 2012 – 2017Cabinet MinistersOffice(s) Officeholder TermMinister for Foreign Affairs Hanna Tetteh (MP) 30 January 2013 – 2017 Minister for the InteriorKwesi Ahwoi 14 February 2013– 16 July 2014 Mark Owen Woyongo (MP) 16 July 2014 – 2017Minister for Finance and Economic PlanningSeth Terkper 30 January 2013 – 2017 Minister for DefenceMark Owen Woyongo (MP) 14 February 2013 – 16 July 2014 Benjamin Kunbuor (MP) 16 July 2014 – 2017Attorney General and Minister for JusticeMarietta Brew Appiah-Oppong 14 February 2013 – 2017Minister for EducationJane Naana Opoku Agyemang 2013 – 2017 Minister for Food and AgricultureClement Kofi Humado (MP) 30 January 2013 – ?Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey (MP) 16 July 2014 – 2017 Minister for Trade and IndustryHaruna Iddrisu (MP) 14 February 2013 – 16 July 2014 Ekwow Spio-Garbrah 16 July 2014 – 2017 Minister for Health Hanny-Sherry Ayitey 14 February 2013 – 16 July 2014 Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah 16 July 2014 – 14 March 2015 Alex Segbefia 16 March 2015 – 2017 Minister for Information and Media Relations(merged with Minister for Communications from 16 July 2014) Mahama Ayariga (MP) 30 January 2013 – 16 July 2014(merged with Minister for Communications from 16 July 2014) Minister for Local Government and Rural DevelopmentAkwasi Oppong Fosu (MP) 2013 – 30 May 2014 Julius Debrah 30 May 2014 – 2017 Collins DaudaMinister for Tourism, Culture and Creative ArtsElizabeth Ofosu-Agyare 14 February 2013 – 2017Minister for Energy and PetroleumEmmanuel Armah Kofi Buah (MP) 14 February 2013 – 2017Minister for TransportDzifa Aku Ativor 14 February 2013 – 23 December 2015 Minister for Roads and HighwaysAmin Amidu Sulemana (MP) 30 January 2013 – 16 July 2014 Inusah Fuseini (MP) 16 July 2014 – 2017 Minister for Lands and Natural ResourcesInusah Fuseini (MP) 30 January 2013 – 16 July 2014 Nii Osah Mills 16 July 2014 – 2017Minister for CommunicationsEdward Omane Boamah 14 February 2013 – 7 January 2017 Minister for Environment, Science and TechnologyJoe Oteng-Adjei 2013 – 16 July 2014 Akwasi Oppong Fosu 16 July 2014 – 14 March 2015 Mahama Ayariga (MP) 16 March 2015 – 2017 Minister for Employment and Labour RelationsNii Armah Ashitey (MP) 14 February 2013 – 16 July 2014 Haruna Iddrisu (MP) 16 July 2014 – 2017 Minister for Water Resources, Works and HousingCollins Dauda (MP) 30 January 2013 – 14 March 2015 Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah 16 March 2015 – 2017 Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Nayon Bilijo 14 February 2013 – 16 July 2014 Hanny-Sherry Ayitey 16 July 2014 – 2017 Minister for Youth and SportsElvis Afriyie Ankrah 14 February 2013 – 16 July 2014 Mahama Ayariga (MP) 16 July 2014 – 14 March 2015 Dr. Mustapha Ahmed 15 March 2015 – 2017 Minister for Gender, Children and Social ProtectionNana Oye Lithur 2013 – 2017 Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional AffairsHenry Seidu Daanaa 14 February 2013 – 2017 Minister for Government Business in Parliament Benjamin Kunbuor (MP) 14 February 2013 – 16 July 2014Minister for PowerKwabena Donkor 2014 – 31 December 2015Regional MinistersRegion Officeholder Term Ashanti Regional MinisterSamuel Sarpong 14 February 2013 – 11 March 2013 Eric Opoku 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Samuel Sarpong 16 July 2014 – 14 March 2015 Peter Anarfi-Mensah 16 March 2015 – 2017 Brong Ahafo RegionEric Opoku 14 February 2013 – 11 March 2013 Paul Evans Aidoo (MP) 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Eric Opoku 16 July 2014 – 2017 Central RegionEbenezer Kwadwo Teye Addo 2013 – 11 March 2013 Samuel Sarpong 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Aquinas Quansah (MP) 16 July 2014 – January 2016 Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan (MP) January 2016 – 2017 Eastern RegionJulius Debrah 2013 – 11 March 2013 Helen Ntoso 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Antwi Boasiako Sekyere 16 July 2014 – 2017 Greater Accra Regional MinisterJoshua Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo (MP) 14 February 2013 – 11 March 2013 Julius Debrah 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Joshua Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo (MP) 16 July 2014 – 2017 Northern RegionMoses Bukari Mabengba (acting) 7 January 2013 – 11 March 2013 Bede Anwataazumo Ziedeng 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Limuna Mohammed Muniru 16 July 2014 – January 2017 Upper East RegionEphraim Avea Nsoh 2013 – 11 March 2013 Limuna Mohammed Muniru(acting minister) 11 March 2013– 16 July 2014 James Zooglah Tiigah 16 July 2014 – January 2017 Upper West RegionBede Anwataazumo Ziedeng 2013 – 11 March 2013 Ephraim Avea Nsoh 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Amin Amidu Sulemana (MP) 16 July 2014 – January 2017 Volta Regional MinisterHelen Ntoso 2013 – 11 March 2013 Joshua Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Helen Ntoso 16 July 2014 – January 2017 Western RegionPaul Evans Aidoo (MP) 14 February 2013 – 11 March 2013 Ebenezer Kwadwo Teye Addo 11 March 2013 – 16 July 2014 Paul Evans Aidoo (MP) 16 July 2014 – January 2017
Policy
National affairs Dumsor
Dumsor is the frequent, persistent and irregular system of electrical power outage in Ghana. The frequent Ghanaian blackouts are caused by power supply shortage. Ghanaian generating capacity by 2015 was 400-600 megawatts less than what Ghana needed. Ghanaian electricity distributors regularly shed load with rolling blackouts. At the beginning of 2015, the dumsor schedule went from 24 hours with light and 12 without to 12 hours with light and 24 without. In August 2012, the government told Ghanaians that a ship's anchor cut the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), forcing gas turbines to shut down for lack of fuel. The Mahama government blamed it on the government's inability to add significant generating capacity over the years and promised to fix this. Karpower Burge was brought in to solve the problem. The government stated that it has plans to diversify its energy sources, using more renewables. It was also working to encourage energy conservation.