President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the need to review Ghana’s pension scheme to ensure fairness and satisfaction for all stakeholders.
Speaking during a courtesy visit from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) at the Presidency, Mahama acknowledged persistent challenges in the pension system despite previous reforms.
“In relation to pensions, I’ll be meeting with the TUC and organized labour soon,” he said. “Even with the restructured pension system, there are still difficulties. I proposed a review conference to assess what’s working and what needs adjustment.”
He emphasized that several years had passed since the last pension reforms, making it essential to evaluate the current system’s effectiveness and update it to meet the needs of all involved.
Support for Teachers: Housing and Teacher Welfare
Economist Kwame Pianim, a founding figure behind the Teachers’ Fund, reminded the President of a promise to deliver 10,000 housing units for teachers, a commitment yet to be fulfilled. Expressing optimism, Pianim praised Mahama’s credibility and willingness to listen.
“One of the most honorable professions is teaching, yet our teachers are often underpaid,” Pianim said. “But with a listening president like you, I believe there’s hope for change.”
In response, President Mahama proposed a counterpart fund to support the Teachers’ Fund in building low-cost housing for educators.
“We’ll work with you to design and build these houses,” Mahama explained. “In Ghana, so-called ‘affordable housing’ often benefits the wealthy. I prefer the term ‘low-cost housing.’ If we can allocate a budget for a counterpart fund, teachers can apply to own homes built specifically for them.”
Reinforcing the Role of PTAs in Education
President Mahama also addressed the marginalization of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), stressing their vital role in education. He called for the full restoration of PTA involvement in school management and teaching outcomes.
“PTAs must work with teachers and school administrations to ensure proper governance and better student performance,” he said.
24-Hour Port Operations for Agro-Industrial Growth
Earlier in the day, President Mahama attended the 2025 Ghana Horticulture Expo, where he announced that 24-hour operations will begin at the Tema and Takoradi ports on July 1st.
“This initiative will enhance round-the-clock production, processing, and logistics in the horticulture sector,” Mahama declared.
He emphasized that the policy isn’t just about longer hours but also includes building the right infrastructure, energy supply, security systems, transportation, and digital platforms to support continuous agro-industrial activity.
Mahama concluded by highlighting the importance of expanding high-value agricultural exports to help stabilize the national currency.
“We are boldly and deliberately moving in that direction,” he said. “We will work hand-in-hand with our exporters to achieve this goal.”
