Policy analyst Dr. Steve Manteaw, Co-chair of Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) and former Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) chairman, has identified four appointees in President Mahama’s administration as driving significant economic reforms.
Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor secured recognition for renegotiating legacy power purchase agreements and promoting private sector involvement in energy metering and revenue collection, alongside advancing open contracting practices to enhance sector transparency.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson was noted for implementing fiscal policies credited by Dr. Manteaw with contributing to current macroeconomic stability and currency strength, positioning Ghana more favorably for growth and investment.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah was acknowledged for intensifying enforcement actions against illegal mining, establishing the Blue Water Guards initiative to protect water bodies, and pursuing legal reforms in resource governance.
GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi, the sole non-minister named, received recognition for leading the government’s gold trading program aimed at retaining greater value from gold exports, which is reportedly improving the Balance of Payments and supporting the cedi.
Dr. Manteaw suggested these combined efforts, if sustained, could form a foundation for broader structural economic transformation.