By Nelson Ayivor
President John Dramani Mahama has taken a decisive step toward restoring macroeconomic stability and repositioning Ghana for sustainable growth with the establishment of a Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy.
The newly constituted body brings together some of the country’s most respected economists, private sector leaders, academics, and former public officials to provide strategic and independent advice on economic governance.
The formation of the Advisory Group underscores the President’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking as Ghana navigates fiscal pressures, debt sustainability challenges, and the urgent need for inclusive, job-rich growth. It also aligns with the broader Reset Agenda, which places emphasis on productivity, exports, and structural transformation of the economy.
The creation of the Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen policy coordination and ensure coherence between fiscal and monetary decisions. With global economic uncertainties persisting and domestic constraints weighing on growth, the President has opted to draw on deep national and international expertise to guide economic decision-making at the highest level.
The Advisory Group is expected to support government efforts to stabilise the macroeconomy while laying the foundation for long-term resilience. Its advisory role is designed to complement existing institutions by offering non-partisan perspectives and strategic insights that can inform timely policy adjustments.
Mandate Anchored on Growth and Stability
At the core of the Group’s mandate is the provision of strategic counsel on macroeconomic management, fiscal consolidation, and debt sustainability. The Group will also advise on ensuring coherence between fiscal and monetary policy, an area that has become increasingly critical in managing inflation, exchange rate stability, and investor confidence.
Beyond stabilisation, the Advisory Group is tasked with offering guidance on structural transformation, industrial development, competitiveness, and export-led growth strategies. These priorities are central to Ghana’s ambition to diversify its economy, reduce import dependence, and strengthen its productive base.
The Group will further support sectoral development, private sector expansion, investment mobilisation, and sustainable job creation. This focus reflects the administration’s intention to place enterprise growth and employment at the heart of economic recovery efforts.
Driving the 24-Hour Economy and Export Push
A key pillar of the Advisory Group’s work will be supporting the design, sequencing, and implementation of flagship initiatives such as the 24-Hour Economy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme. These initiatives are expected to unlock productivity gains, expand industrial capacity, and create new opportunities across manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics, and services.
Through periodic assessments of Ghana’s economic performance, the Group will propose policy adjustments or corrective measures where necessary. This continuous review mechanism is aimed at ensuring that reforms remain responsive to evolving economic conditions and deliver measurable impact.
The Group will also contribute expert input to Ghana’s economic negotiations and engagements with bilateral and multilateral development partners, international financial institutions, and investors. This role is expected to strengthen Ghana’s position in securing development financing, partnerships, and foreign direct investment.
A Distinguished Line-Up of Expertise
The Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy is chaired by President Mahama himself, signaling the importance attached to its work. The membership reflects a deliberate balance of experience from academia, public service, and the private sector.
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang brings academic leadership and governance experience to the Group. She is joined by seasoned private sector figures such as Mr. Ishmael Yamson and Mr. Kwame Pianim, both of whom have previously contributed to national economic advisory efforts.
Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Ms. Nana Oye Mansa Yeboaa, adds policy and trade expertise, while Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and former Minister for Finance, brings deep experience in central banking and fiscal management.
The Group also includes Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, an industrialist and private sector leader, as well as Togbe Afede XIV, an economist with extensive private sector experience. Their inclusion reflects the administration’s emphasis on enterprise-led growth and industrial development.
Further strengthening the Group are Dr. Henry A. Kofi Wampah, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mr. Ato Brown, an agribusiness investor and former World Bank infrastructure specialist, and Ms. Abena Amoah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Stock Exchange. Academic perspectives are provided by Professors Priscilla Twumasi Baffour and Patience Aseweh Abor, both respected university researchers.
Reporting Directly to the President
The Advisory Group will report directly to the President and submit advisory memoranda and briefs as requested. It will also provide periodic strategic reviews, ensuring that the President has access to timely, well-grounded analysis on key economic issues.
By assembling this high-powered economic brain trust, President Mahama has signaled a renewed focus on strategic planning, inclusive growth, and institutional collaboration.
As Ghana seeks to reset its economic trajectory, the effectiveness of this Advisory Group is likely to play a critical role in shaping policy outcomes and restoring confidence in the country’s economic future.