Earlier this year, I attended the 2025 National Economic Dialogue (NED) in Accra, Ghana, organized by the Office of the President and the Ministry of Finance. The atmosphere was charged, with over 500 enthusiastic participants representing government, civil society, academia, the private sector, and other key stakeholders. The NED provided a timely and strategic platform to reexamine Ghana’s economic path and reinforce the government’s commitment to a national reset amid growing socio-economic challenges.
A reasonable question is why this is published now, months after the dialogue ended. The answer is practical and deliberate. As the government moves from dialogue to action, this is a fitting time to reflect. The dialogue was inclusive and gave strong recommendations capable of transforming Ghana. The President’s Coordinated Program for Economic and Social Development Policies, along with Ghana’s upcoming Medium Term Development Framework—both still in development—are expected to incorporate these recommendations. I believe they will help set a positive direction for the country’s future.
What matters most to me is empowering the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in this process. Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, Commission Chairman, has received a specific mandate from the President to oversee the implementation of the NED recommendations, monitor progress, and report regularly. Having always recognized the importance of the NDPC’s role in our nation’s development, this marks a decisive shift and demonstrates that the Commission is no longer on the sidelines but is a vital part of our development agenda. This presents a genuine opportunity to set a good example and get it right, ensuring continuity and accountability moving forward.
Creating A Platform for Real Conversations
Entering the first day’s opening plenary, I was immediately drawn in by the four speeches and presentations, which, in my view, set a focused and essential tone for the rest of the dialogue. Dr. Ishmael Yamson, Chair of the NED Planning Committee, immediately sobered me with his stark reminder that Ghana’s current challenges are not new to us, and what is needed now is meaningful follow-through on these recycled conversations. Dr. K.Y. Amoako emphasized bridging the ever-widening gap between citizens and governments, building trust, transparency, and shared ownership of development. Needless to say, this resonated with me deeply, particularly given the work ACET has been doing through the Ghana Compact.
The Finance Minister, Hon. Ato Forson, gave a frank and somber view of Ghana’s current economic realities, including fiscal pressures and irresponsibility, debt issues, significant losses in state institutions, and fragile investor confidence. Although I was aware of our poor fiscal condition, listening to his data-backed presentation made it hit harder. We concluded the opening plenary with an address from President Mahama that brought all the parts together, emphasizing the significance of this gathering. Although each speaker provided a unique perspective, all of their addresses were rooted in a common sense of urgency, which to me signals that economic transformation is achievable.
ACET at the 2025 National Economic Dialogue
It was a pleasure to see the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) participate in the gathering, offering thought leadership, facilitating discussion, and advocating for transformative policy measures.
I sat in on the breakout session on “Good Governance, Accountability, and Anti-Corruption Measures.” Our conversations centered on strengthening institutions, constitutional amendments, improving transparency, and building systems that can weather political transitions. Everyone in the room appeared to agree on one thing: even the most well-thought-through policies and plans will fall through the cracks without strong governance.
On the other hand, the breakout session on Growth with DEPTH, a central framework to ACET’s work, offered practical recommendations. I recall Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, ACET’s President and CEO, presenting her group’s findings to the plenary. There was something about it that immediately caught my attention: for the first time in Ghana, DEPTH was not just as a theoretical framework, but as a practical, research-based evidence that people could relate to. She discussed the more technical aspects of agro-processing, manufacturing, matching youth skills to labor, improving women’s access to financing, and reaching rural communities.
In follow-up conversations with colleagues in the breakout room, I was impressed by how their reflections validated my view from the plenary. Their discussions were grounded on the shared understanding that while Ghana has experienced episodes of economic growth, this growth has not always translated into broad-based improvements in livelihoods or productivity. It’s almost as if the DEPTH framework came alive through real stories from farmers stuck with outdated tools, women business owners struggling to access credit facilities, and graduates with skills that do not match the job market. It reminded me just how powerful the DEPTH framework can be when it’s applied to lived experiences.
Hope in the Horizon
I was proud of my participation and ACET’s role in the National Economic Dialogue. However, I left feeling challenged. As the breakout sessions progressed and moderators reported back to the plenary, I repeatedly asked myself: Are we really listening? Are we truly connected to the ground realities? Are we as civil society representatives ready to stay committed to this process even after the excitement of the NED fades? My simple answer is yes, because now more than ever, we share a sense of urgency.
It’s easy to feel revitalized after a convening like the NED. The hard part comes in the implementation at the institutional level, particularly as they are plagued with fatigue, minimal funding, and political interference. My assurance, however, lies in what this dialogue represents to me: a signal that political will seems to finally be catching up with policy expertise.
I look forward to ACET continuing to play its part in Ghana’s economic transformation through offering consistent support and expertise, asking the right questions, and holding space for citizens’ voices to come through.
I walked away from the NED, reminded of how complex and beautiful Ghana is, and how much potential it still holds. A reignition of my patriotism and a reminder of why I chose to relocate back home in 2018. People deeply want to believe again that our government can work and that change is possible.
We are not there yet, but something about that economic dialogue felt like a turning point.
Maybe, just maybe, we are ready!
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