President of the West African nation of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, is leaving no stone unturned in consolidating the gains made in his first year in office with the constitution of a Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy to provide high-level, independent and non-partisan advice on economic governance. The move marks a significant step as the government seeks to restore macroeconomic stability and accelerate job-rich growth.
The advisory group, which will report directly to the President, is expected to strengthen strategic economic decision-making, enhance policy coordination and support evidence-based reforms, particularly in the areas of fiscal sustainability, debt management and productivity-enhancing initiatives.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency Communications on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the body will play a central role in guiding the implementation of key flagship initiatives, including the 24-Hour Economy, the Accelerated Export Development Programme and the government’s broader Reset Agenda.
The group will be chaired by President Mahama and includes Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, alongside senior economists, former finance ministers, private sector leaders and academics drawn from both the public and private sectors. Members include private sector leader Mr Ishmael Yamson; economist and private sector leader Mr Kwame Pianim; former Deputy Minister of Finance and former Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Ms Nana Oye Mansa Yeboaa; former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and former Minister for Finance, Dr Kwabena Duffuor; and industrialist Sir Samuel Esson Jonah.
Other members are former World Bank infrastructure specialist and agribusiness investor Mr Ato Brown; former Governor of the Bank of Ghana Dr Henry A. Kofi Wampah; economist and private sector leader Togbe Afede XIV; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Stock Exchange Ms Abena Amoah; University of Ghana professor Prof. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour; and University of Ghana professor Prof. Patience Aseweh Abor.
The Presidency noted that the advisory body will provide strategic counsel on macroeconomic management, fiscal consolidation and debt sustainability, while promoting coherence between fiscal and monetary policy.
Its mandate also extends to advising on structural transformation, industrial development, competitiveness and export-led growth, as well as sectoral development, private sector expansion, investment mobilisation and sustainable job creation.
In addition, the group is expected to support the design, sequencing and implementation of major government programmes, undertake periodic assessments of Ghana’s economic performance and recommend policy adjustments where necessary.
The advisory body will further contribute expert input to Ghana’s economic negotiations and engagements with bilateral and multilateral development partners, international financial institutions and investors.
The statement, signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the establishment of the group underscores President Mahama’s commitment to drawing on deep national and international expertise to address current economic challenges and position Ghana for sustainable growth and long-term resilience.
