Congratulations to President John Mahama on His Election to the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana. Mr. President, I join the rest of the country in extending my warmest congratulations on your election to the highest office of our land. Undoubtedly, you already feel the immense weight of expectations resting on your shoulders.

With various pieces of advice pouring in from different corners, I hope to add my voice, not to bring anything radically new, but to echo the sentiments of countless well-meaning Ghanaians who seek the best for our beloved nation.

Galamsey (Illegal Mining)

One of the most urgent challenges that demands your immediate attention is the menace of galamsey. The devastation of our lands, rivers, and forests is not merely an environmental issue but our generation's greatest moral failure. The destruction of sacred natural resources handed down by our ancestors dishonors their legacy and undermines the future of generations yet unborn.

Galamsey must be addressed decisively, even though it is a complex and deeply entrenched problem. Your goodwill as a newly elected leader presents an opportune moment to act boldly before the people's trust and faith wanes. Trust me, we know this initial goodwill won’t last for long.

Education Reform

The Free SHS initiative has been a landmark policy with far-reaching implications for Ghana's future. However, as with any ambitious program, it requires thoughtful evaluation and revision. While the intent to provide free secondary education is laudable, inefficiencies and unsustainable costs risk undermining its long-term viability.

Therefore, you will be doing its proponents a favor when you revise it, intending to make it more efficient and sustainable. Targeting the program to prioritize those needing assistance will ensure fairness and sustainability, enabling the system to benefit future generations without unnecessarily burdening the national budget.

It is essential to summon the moral courage needed to address the challenges inherent in this program. To ensure its effectiveness and fairness, I strongly urge you to engage the public, seek widespread input, and engage in a thorough revision process.

While I fully support initiatives aimed at helping those in need, it is equally important to recognize that not everyone requires assistance. Tailoring the program to target those who genuinely need support will enhance its impact and ensure responsible use of resources, fostering equity and sustainability.

Environmental Protection and Plastic Waste

The environmental degradation caused by plastic waste has reached alarming levels. The filth choking our gutters, polluting our beaches, and clogging our waterways seriously threatens public health and the ecosystem. Previous promises to clean up Accra and the country have yielded little progress.

I urge you to summon the moral courage to implement bold measures, including banning single-use plastics and investing in sustainable waste management solutions. This is not just an environmental issue but a matter of national pride and public health. It's about time we stopped paying lip service to the SDGs and acted.

Healthcare and Preventive Care

Our healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including the lack of emphasis on preventive care. Strengthening public health infrastructure and prioritizing community-based preventative measures will save lives and reduce the financial strain on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). A solid primary care system rooted in public health principles ensures a healthier, more productive population.

The rapid rise of lifestyle-related diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease, has reached crisis proportions, inflicting profound harm on our communities and prematurely claiming the lives of our countless loved ones.

This escalating health crisis not only devastates families but also places an immense burden on our healthcare systems, undermining national development and productivity. Addressing this challenge is not merely a priority; it is an urgent national emergency that demands bold, comprehensive, and immediate action.

We must tackle the root causes of these conditions, often unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyles and limited access to preventive healthcare. Public awareness campaigns, community-based health initiatives, and policy interventions must be deployed to encourage healthier living.

This includes promoting regular physical activity, improved nutrition, routine health screenings, and early detection of these diseases. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than a cure.

Agriculture and Food Security

An effective agricultural policy is fundamental to the nation’s prosperity. "Planting for Food and Jobs" and its other variants, perhaps imperfectly executed, was an excellent initiative of the outgoing government that deserves refinement rather than rejection.

Please avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I am sure some will tell you to do just that. Stay your ground when necessary, Mr. President. As someone interested in agriculture, you are uniquely positioned to champion policies that enhance our capacity to produce and process our food.

Supporting local farmers, modernizing agricultural practices, and fostering agro-based industrialization will contribute significantly to food security and economic growth.

Lead with Moral Courage

Authentic leadership demands the courage to make difficult decisions, not because they are easy but necessary. As Robert Kennedy once noted, greatness lies in doing what is hard. Your focus should not be chasing a "legacy" but meeting people's everyday expectations. Keep faith in the millions who voted for you, trusting your vision and integrity.

Mr. President, the road ahead is fraught with enormous challenges, matched only in equal weight with the possibilities and rich with opportunities to lead Ghana toward a brighter, more sustainable future. I wish you wisdom, discernment, strength, and a successful tenure.