LONDON – President John Dramani Mahama turned his London working visit into a marathon engagement with Ghanaian residents in the UK on Sunday evening, setting aside a prepared speech to answer raw, unfiltered questions from citizens on everything from road accidents to youth crime, flooding, and the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

Speaking at a diaspora town hall hosted by the Ghana High Commission, Mahama declared the diaspora the “17th region of Ghana” and offered a detailed defense of his government’s economic record, security investments, and infrastructure ambitions. Here are 16 key takeaways from the president’s remarks.

1. The Diaspora Is Now Formally Recognised as Ghana’s 17th Region

Mahama made it clear that Ghanaians abroad are no longer an afterthought. Citing remittances that reached $7.8 billion last year—”probably larger than many regions are contributing to the GDP in Ghana”—he said the diaspora has earned its place as a virtual region.

“Our diaspora is the 17th region of Ghana. We have 16 physical regions in Ghana, but we have one virtual region which is our diaspora abroad.”

2. Dual Citizens Will Soon Be Allowed to Run for Parliament and Ministerial Roles

In a significant constitutional reform, Mahama confirmed that legislation is before parliament to amend the 1992 constitution to allow Ghanaians holding dual citizenship to participate in politics at “parliamentary and ministerial level.”

He privately called it the “Jupitin law,” referencing a close associate who faced legal troubles over the issue.

3. Ghana Has Become the World’s ‘Poster Boy for Economic Recovery’

Despite inheriting an IMF programme that had gone “completely off track,” Mahama said his government took “bitter medicine”—including stringent fiscal decisions—and turned the economy around.

“Ghana has become the poster boy for economic recovery across the world. Anytime they go for the spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF, everybody is pointing to other African countries and saying, ‘Go to Ghana and learn how they did it.'”

4. Non-Oil Growth Exceeded 7% – A Sign of Real Economic Health

Mahama stressed that true progress is measured by non-oil growth, which includes agriculture, manufacturing, and ICT. His government achieved more than 7% in that category, signaling that Ghana is moving beyond the “Dutch disease” of oil dependency.

5. Ghana Led the UN Reparations Motion: ‘The Gravest Crime Against Humanity’

Mahama announced that Ghana successfully moved a UN resolution describing the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity,” with 123 votes in favour. A follow-up conference called “The Next Steps” will be hosted in Accra in June to chart the path forward on reparations and restitutive justice.

6. Visa-Free Entry for All African Passport Holders – And E-Visas for the Diaspora

Ghana has introduced free visas for all African passport holders and a fully digital e-visa system. Mahama personally issued the first visa—to a Serbian oil rig worker. The system now allows Ghanaians in Birmingham or Middlesbrough to apply online without visiting the embassy.

The Big Stories: What are the Headlines Shaping Ghana Today?

7. The Accra-Kumasi Expressway Is Underway – 51km Already Cleared

Responding to concerns about road accidents, Mahama announced that the iconic Accra-Kumasi expressway is now a reality. The 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Army has cleared 51 kilometres. The new six-lane, 198km tolled expressway will cut travel time from five hours to two, bypassing all major towns with off-ramps and rest stops.

8. Akosombo Dam Is Running at Full Capacity – No, It’s Not Just Two Turbines

Correcting a questioner who claimed Akosombo was generating less than 200 kilowatts, Mahama clarified that all six turbines are operational, producing 1,020 megawatts. He explained that Ghana cannot simply build a 5,000-megawatt dam like Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam because the Volta Lake lacks the water volume of the Nile.

9. Flooding in Accra Is Not an Engineering Problem – It’s Indiscipline

In a blunt assessment, Mahama blamed Accra’s perennial floods on citizens building in waterways and officials signing permits for wetlands.

“Unfortunately, our traditional rulers are selling plots in streams. I’ve seen from a helicopter a stream coming from the Quapin range, and they’ve built across it. Now when government takes action and begins breaking people’s houses, the same people say, ‘Why isn’t government doing anything?'”

He threatened to sack district chief executives who sign permits for construction in watercourses.

10. A 24-Hour Economy Law Has Been Signed – Starting With Solar and Logistics

Mahama confirmed that the 24-hour economy authority bill has been passed and signed into law. Initial projects include moving goods from Tema along the Volta Lake to the northern region, building agro-industrial parks, and adding 200 megawatts of solar capacity to lower electricity tariffs for industry.

11. Foreign Investors Are Welcome – But Not in Small Retail Shops

Ghana has removed the $1 million minimum capital requirement for foreign investors. The only restricted sector is “small retail business”—corner shops and container stores, which are reserved for Ghanaians. Everywhere else is open.

12. State-Owned Enterprises Face a Deadline: Produce Audited Accounts or Go Home

Mahama disclosed that some SOEs had not presented annual reports or audited accounts for seven years. He has given CEOs a mid-year deadline. Several have already turned losses into profits, including the National Buffer Stock Company, which announced a 60 million Ghana cedi profit.

13. On the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: One Question, One Deflection

Asked directly why Ghana needed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, Mahama did not offer a substantive response. The moderator moved on, and the president did not return to the question—leaving diaspora attendees without a clear answer on whether he intends to sign the controversial legislation.

14. Mining Must Be Formalised – And a Reclamation Bond Is Coming

Mahama acknowledged the devastation of illegal mining (galamsey) but insisted formalisation is the answer. He announced plans to introduce a reclamation bond for small-scale miners, forcing them to set aside funds to restore land after mining. The Gold Board will oversee reclamation efforts, starting with 800 hectares already restored with Newmont.

15. On the Diaspora Community Centre: ‘Self-Help First, Government Second’

When traditional leaders in the UK asked for government help to acquire a community centre, Mahama politely declined.

“If yourselves contribute and you need some help, then you can appeal and we’ll see how we can help. But for us to come and acquire a community centre is going to be difficult. Then Germany will also ask, then Switzerland will ask, then Boston will ask.”

He advised diaspora members considering relocation to do so “incrementally, not the big bang,” to avoid frustration.

16. On Traveling Commercial vs. Private Jet

Asked why he flew commercial while former President Akufo-Addo arrived at an event on a private jet, Mahama explained: “We use a combination of both. For this UK investment summit, it makes sense to come commercial. When you have multiple destinations, you cannot.”