Accra, Ghana — President John Dramani Mahama has constituted a high-level Presidential Economic Advisory Committee, a strategic body designed to provide independent, evidence-based economic advice to guide Ghana’s recovery, stabilisation efforts and long-term growth agenda.
The committee, chaired by the President himself, brings together some of Ghana’s most respected economists, financial experts, private-sector leaders and academics. Its formation comes at a critical moment for the country, as the new administration seeks to restore macroeconomic stability, rebuild investor confidence, deepen structural reforms and place the economy on a sustainable growth path.
According to the Presidency, the committee will advise the President on fiscal policy, debt sustainability, monetary-fiscal coordination, structural transformation, private-sector development and Ghana’s engagement with international financial and development partners.
Mandate and Objectives
The Presidential Economic Advisory Committee is tasked with offering strategic, non-partisan and long-term economic counsel directly to the President. Its core objectives include:
- Supporting macroeconomic stabilisation, including fiscal consolidation and debt management
- Promoting policy coherence between fiscal, monetary and structural reforms
- Advising on industrialisation, export development and competitiveness
- Strengthening private-sector-led growth and job creation
- Enhancing Ghana’s credibility with investors, multilateral institutions and development partners
- Periodically assessing economic performance and proposing policy adjustments
Government officials say the committee is not intended to replace existing economic institutions but to complement them by providing high-level strategic insight and long-term policy direction.
Composition of the Committee
The committee reflects a deliberate balance between public-sector experience, private-sector leadership and academic expertise.
President John Dramani Mahama — Chair
President Mahama chairs the committee, underscoring the central role of economic reform in his administration. A former president from 2012 to 2017, Mahama has consistently advocated export-led growth, infrastructure development and industrial transformation as pillars of Ghana’s economic future.
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang — Member
The Vice President, an accomplished academic and former Minister of Education, brings expertise in human capital development, education policy and governance. Her presence highlights the link between education, skills development and long-term economic growth.
Kwame Pianim — Economist and Investment Expert
A veteran economist and private-sector advocate, Kwame Pianim is widely respected for his work in finance, investment and capital markets. He has long championed sound macroeconomic management and private-sector-driven development.
Sir Samuel Esson Jonah — Business Leader
Sir Sam Jonah is one of Ghana’s most prominent industrialists, with extensive experience in mining, international business and corporate governance. His insights are expected to inform policies on industrial competitiveness and foreign investment.
Ishmael Yamson — Private-Sector Veteran
A leading figure in Ghana’s private sector, Ishmael Yamson has previously served on national economic advisory bodies. His background spans corporate leadership, policy advocacy and strategic economic planning.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor — Economist and Former Finance Minister
Dr. Duffuor is a former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and former Minister for Finance. He brings deep expertise in monetary policy, fiscal management and financial sector reforms, areas critical to restoring economic stability.
Dr. Henry A. Kofi Wampah — Former Governor, Bank of Ghana
Another former central bank governor, Dr. Wampah strengthens the committee’s capacity on issues of financial stability, inflation management and macroeconomic coordination.
Togbe Afede XIV — Economist and Business Leader
A traditional leader and accomplished businessman, Togbe Afede XIV combines economic knowledge with practical experience in investment and enterprise development, particularly in finance and hospitality.
Abena Amoah — Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Stock Exchange
As head of the Ghana Stock Exchange, Abena Amoah brings expertise in capital markets, investment mobilisation and financial market development, key to expanding domestic financing options.
Ato Brown — Infrastructure and Agribusiness Specialist
With experience at the World Bank and in agribusiness investment, Ato Brown offers insight into infrastructure financing, value-chain development and agricultural transformation.
Prof. Priscilla Twumasi-Baffour — Academic
A professor at the University of Ghana, Prof. Twumasi-Baffour contributes academic research expertise in business, finance and institutional development.
Prof. Patience Aseweh Abor — Academic
Also from the University of Ghana, Prof. Abor is known for her work in finance and development economics, reinforcing the committee’s emphasis on evidence-based policymaking.
Strategic Importance
The creation of the Presidential Economic Advisory Committee signals the Mahama administration’s intent to anchor economic decision-making in expert analysis rather than short-term political considerations.
Analysts note that Ghana faces multiple interconnected challenges, including high public debt, constrained fiscal space, inflationary pressures and the need to expand productive capacity. The advisory committee is expected to play a key role in shaping reforms aimed at stabilising the economy while laying the groundwork for inclusive growth.
The committee is also expected to provide strategic input into flagship government initiatives such as export expansion, industrial development and the proposed 24-Hour Economy policy, which seeks to increase productivity and employment through extended economic activity.
Shaping Ghana’s Economic Future
By drawing on the collective experience of seasoned policymakers, business leaders and academics, the committee is positioned to influence Ghana’s economic trajectory in several ways:
- Improving the quality and consistency of economic policy decisions
- Strengthening private-sector confidence and investment sentiment
- Supporting structural transformation and export diversification
- Enhancing Ghana’s standing with international partners and creditors
Government officials have emphasised that while the committee does not wield executive authority, its recommendations will inform key policy choices at the highest level.