President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the nation’s economy remains strong and resilient, despite ongoing global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the 24-hour economy module market in Dormaa Ahenkro, the President emphasized that the government is actively working to shield Ghana’s economic gains from external shocks.

“We have worked diligently over the past year to stabilize our economy, and the results are clear — our economy is strengthened and resilient,” President Mahama said. “No matter what shocks may occur globally, Ghana stands firm. We have seen how conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war have impacted other countries, and we are determined to ensure that Ghana does not suffer similar setbacks.”

He added, “The economic progress we have achieved in this administration must be preserved. Even in the face of global disruptions, we are positioning Ghana on a firm growth trajectory. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war challenged economies worldwide, but Ghana continues to show resilience.”

President Mahama also highlighted the government’s initiatives to boost domestic economic activity, including the establishment of the 24-hour economy module market in Dormaa Ahenkro, which aims to stimulate trade, create jobs, and enhance local business opportunities.

“Through strategic planning and consistent effort, we are ensuring that no global event can derail Ghana’s economic stability,” the President said.

President John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong warning to landlords who flout rent regulations, calling on tenants to report any demands for rent advances that exceed the legal limit.

Speaking at a high-level engagement with Organised Labour at Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 17, the President highlighted the growing housing crisis and its severe impact on household incomes across the country.

He stressed that the rising cost of accommodation is placing unsustainable pressure on citizens, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated national response. According to him, Ghana must initiate a comprehensive housing dialogue involving government, the private sector, and labour unions to develop a robust social housing framework.

“Housing is a major problem, and for households, it is consuming their income,” he stated, advocating for affordable solutions through structured mortgage systems and fair rental arrangements.

President Mahama pointed to the country’s housing deficit as a key driver behind the increasing trend of landlords demanding excessive rent advances—often far beyond what the law permits. He noted that while existing regulations cap rent advances at six months, enforcement remains weak, partly due to reluctance from both tenants and landlords to seek redress through the rent court.

“The reason private house owners are taking advantage is because of the housing deficit,” he explained, adding that legal mechanisms are already in place but underutilized.

The President urged tenants to take a firm stand against unlawful practices by reporting offending landlords to the appropriate authorities, including the rent court, assuring that strict action would be taken against violators.

His remarks come at a time of heightened public concern over widespread reports of landlords demanding up to two years’ rent in advance—a practice widely condemned as both illegal and exploitative, further deepening the country’s housing affordability crisis.

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has defended the government’s decision to undertake a new SIM registration exercise, emphasizing that the initiative is focused on safeguarding consumers and improving national security systems.

Speaking to stakeholders, the Minister highlighted significant flaws in the current SIM database, warning that inaccuracies have placed innocent individuals at risk. He explained that cases of identity theft and data errors have led to situations where people are wrongly implicated in criminal activities.

According to him, security agencies have raised concerns about the credibility of existing data. He noted that law enforcement authorities often rely on SIM registration records to identify suspects, but inconsistencies in the database have resulted in wrongful arrests.

“The Minister for the Interior, who also serves as the Minister for National Security, has consistently called for a more reliable SIM register,” he said, adding that in some instances, cloned Ghana Cards have been used to register SIM cards linked to criminal acts.

Mr. George stressed that the new registration exercise is not driven by procurement interests, but rather by the urgent need to build an accurate and secure system. He pointed out that the government’s priority is to establish a credible database that protects users while providing dependable information to security agencies.

“At the core of this exercise is consumer protection and user confidence,” he stated, contrasting the current approach with previous registration efforts, which he suggested were overly focused on procurement processes.

The Minister further indicated that the government aims to develop a system jointly managed by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Identification Authority (NIA), ensuring long-term reliability and accountability.

He expressed confidence that, if properly implemented, the new SIM registration exercise would be the last of its kind, ultimately restoring public trust and reducing cases of identity misuse.