By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Emmanuel Oteng Kumah as chairman of a five-member Fiscal Council tasked with promoting fiscal discipline, advising on economic policy, and strengthening transparency in the management of public finances.
Dr Kumah is an international economic consultant and adviser with extensive experience in global financial institutions. He previously worked at the International Monetary Fund for 25 years, where he served as a division chief, IMF resident representative in Djibouti, and deputy division chief in the Balance of Payments and External Debt Division.
The other members of the council are Prof Patrick Opoku Asuming, representing academia; Leslie Dwight Mensah, from a research think tank; J Kweku Bedu-Addo, a former public policy expert at the Ministry of Finance; and Dr Henry Akpenamawu Kofi Wampah, a former public policy expert at the Bank of Ghana.
The appointments were announced in a statement dated Wednesday, April 8, 2026, and signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
According to the statement, the nominations are in line with the Public Financial Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1136).
The Fiscal Council is expected to enhance oversight of public finances, support sound economic decision-making, and reinforce fiscal discipline.
The government says the establishment of the council reflects its commitment to strengthening financial governance as part of broader efforts to manage the economy effectively.
