Mahama Has Set the Standard, Now His Team Must Follow,’ Says Dr. Ishmael Yamson

Dr. Ishmael Yamson, former CEO of Unilever Ghana, has called on President John Mahama to lead the country’s reset agenda by setting a strong example at the top levels of government. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, March 6, Dr. Yamson, who currently serves as the chair of the MTN Ghana Board, emphasized that true transformation in the country can only occur if leaders consistently align their actions with their words.

Dr. Yamson began by commending President Mahama for his decision to reduce the number of ministers and deputy ministers from over 100 to 60, describing this as a bold and significant move. “The president has set the tone by reducing the number of ministers. That’s a big step, and it shows that it can be done,” he stated. According to Dr. Yamson, this reduction signals a willingness to embrace fiscal discipline, which is essential in addressing the country’s current economic challenges. However, he stressed that this action should not be viewed as the end of the process but rather as a starting point.

While commending the president for his move, Dr. Yamson underscored that fiscal discipline should be a primary focus, particularly for the Finance Minister, as it lays the foundation for the country’s economic stability. “Establishing fiscal discipline is crucial because it creates the groundwork for monetary policies to stabilize the economy more quickly. I am confident that Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, is determined to achieve this. He understands, as we all do, that the pressure will be constant,” Dr. Yamson remarked.

Dr. Yamson also acknowledged the limited timeframe the government has to make substantial changes. With just four years to make a real impact, he emphasized the importance of laying a solid foundation for long-term progress. “The government has four years to make a difference. Even if they cannot accomplish everything they set out to do in this time, they must visibly demonstrate that they are on track and laying a strong foundation. For instance, no one can build all the hospitals in Ghana in just four years, but we must see progress,” he explained.

Central to this progress, Dr. Yamson believes, is transparency and honesty in governance. He highlighted that throughout his career, he has learned that leaders who are truthful with their followers earn their trust. “If you are honest with people, they will trust you and follow you. It’s important to tell them the truth. If things are going well, say so. If things are tough, be upfront about it,” he advised.

However, Dr. Yamson warned that leaders must demonstrate sacrifice before asking citizens to do the same. “You cannot ask the public to tighten their belts while you have your own belt loosened,” he cautioned. This, he argued, is essential for maintaining credibility and ensuring that citizens are willing to follow the lead of their leaders.

The former Unilever Ghana boss emphasized that the success of the government’s reset agenda will rely heavily on leadership by example. “Living by example will be crucial to the success of this government. It’s not just the president and the vice president, but also the ministers and other leaders who must lead in this way. When you say you are going to reset the country, it means doing things differently from how they were done before. People are watching closely, and they will judge the government based on its actions, not just its words,” he stated.

For Dr. Yamson, Ghana is at a pivotal moment in its history, where mere rhetoric will no longer suffice. The country needs visible action to inspire confidence and demonstrate that the leadership is committed to meaningful change. “Words alone are no longer enough. If we are to reset the country and move forward, the transformation must begin from the very top,” he declared.

In conclusion, Dr. Yamson’s message was clear: the government must lead by example if it hopes to successfully reset the country and drive real change. Leadership at the highest levels must be seen to embrace the principles of fiscal discipline, transparency, and sacrifice, as these values will inspire the public to follow suit. Only through such actions can Ghana hope to achieve the transformation it so desperately needs.