The ongoing US-Iran conflict must end for Ghana to fully benefit from improving economic conditions and see the gains reflected in the cost of doing business, President John Mahama has said.

President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s economic recovery must now translate into lower business costs, improved access to finance and increased investment in productive sectors.

He said the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran was also creating uncertainty in the global economy and expressed hope that the conflict would end soon to ease pressure on businesses.

President Mahama made the remarks at the US-Ghana Presidential Roundtable in New York, where he highlighted Ghana’s recent economic performance and outlined areas requiring greater investment.

He said the economy grew by 6% in 2025, while real GDP growth reached 6.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. He also noted the sharp decline in inflation, although the rate has recently risen to 5%.

“Of course, everybody knows what’s happening in Iran. We’re praying that that conflict comes to an end early. I’m sure that the US itself is feeling the pinch of that war,” he said.

According to the President, the improvements in key economic indicators are important, but their ultimate value will depend on whether businesses and investors experience tangible changes in the cost of operating.

“These gains matter, but stability is not an end in itself. We start stability so businesses can plan with greater certainty. Investors can decide with greater confidence and productive enterprises can grow,” he said.

He said the next phase of Ghana’s economic programme must therefore focus on converting macroeconomic stability into increased production, exports and job creation.

“The gains we have made must now begin to show in the cost of doing business. Interest rates must come down. Long-term financing must become more available,” President Mahama said.

He added that businesses seeking to expand production and create jobs must be able to access financing at reasonable costs, while more capital should be directed towards agriculture, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, technology and other productive sectors.

President Mahama also stressed the need for reliable power, efficient transport and logistics, and industrial infrastructure to enable businesses to expand and compete.

He was addressing US business leaders as part of efforts to deepen Ghana-US economic relations, with the government seeking greater investment, technology transfer and productive partnerships.