By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has charged members of the Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy (PAGE) to provide strong, independent and well-researched advice to help put Ghana firmly on the path of economic recovery, resilience and inclusive growth.
Speaking during the swearing-in and inauguration of PAGE on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, President Mahama said the country is at a critical moment in its economic journey and requires bold thinking, honest assessments and practical solutions to address its challenges.
He thanked the members for accepting the call to serve, describing their decision as a clear sign of commitment to public service and the future of the republic. According to him, the mandate of PAGE is clear and far-reaching, as outlined in their letters of appointment.
The president said the group is expected to provide strategic advice on macroeconomic management, fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability, and coordination between fiscal and monetary policies. He added that PAGE will also advise on structural transformation, industrial development, competitiveness, and export-led growth strategies.
President Mahama noted that the advisory group will further guide the government on sectoral development, private sector expansion, investment mobilisation, and sustainable job creation. He said PAGE will support the design and implementation of key national initiatives, including the 24-hour economy, export development programmes, and other productivity-enhancing reforms.
In addition, PAGE will conduct regular assessments of Ghana’s economic performance, propose policy adjustments where necessary, and offer expert input into Ghana’s engagements with bilateral and multilateral partners, international financial institutions, and investors. He stressed that the group will report directly to the president through advisory memoranda, briefs, and strategic reviews.
Reflecting on past economic challenges, President Mahama said Ghana must confront the mistakes that led to painful domestic debt haircuts suffered by citizens. He pointed to policy inconsistency and investor uncertainty, which he said drove investors away despite investments in biofuels and Ghana’s status as an emerging petroleum economy.
He also expressed concern about declining crude oil output, weak governance in state-owned enterprises, political interference, and poor financial discipline, which he said weakened institutions that were once stable and credible. The president further noted the failure to secure sustainable funding for cocoa financing, which had worked effectively for decades.
President Mahama announced that PAGE will meet quarterly, with emergency meetings held when necessary. He said the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, the President’s Special Adviser, and the Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission will provide technical support to the group.
The Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy is chaired by President John Dramani Mahama and includes H.E. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Mr Ismael Yamson, Mr Kwame Pianim, Ms Nana Oye Mansa Yeboaa, Dr Kwabena Duffour, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr Ato Brown, Dr Henry A. Kofi Wampah, Togbe Afede XIV, Ms Abena Amoah, Prof. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, and Prof. Patience Aseweh Abor.
