President John Dramani Mahama has constituted a seven-member National Economic Dialogue (NED) Planning Committee as part of his 120-day Social Contract with the people of Ghana.

The initiative is aimed at addressing the nation’s pressing economic challenges while charting a path towards sustainable development.

The committee, led by acclaimed economist Dr. Ishmael Yamson, has been tasked with organising a high-level forum to foster consultation and build consensus on policies crucial for transforming Ghana into a resilient, inclusive, and high-growth economy. The committee is expected to present its report within four weeks.

The members of the committee include distinguished individuals such as Dr. K.Y. Amoako, Professor John Gatsi, Mohammed Samara, Nelly Mireku, Anthony Sarpong, and Ernest De-Graft Egyir.

Their combined expertise is anticipated to guide the dialogue and shape actionable recommendations for economic transformation.

Acting Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu in a statement issued on 26 January, outlined the objectives of the NED.

These include providing an accurate account of Ghana’s economic situation to stakeholders and the public, while creating a platform for dialogue and consultation on pressing development issues.

“The NED will facilitate discussions on the nation’s key challenges, evaluate policy trade-offs, and foster consensus on reforms necessary for Ghana’s economic transformation,” the statement noted.

Additionally, the committee will be responsible for designing a homegrown fiscal consolidation programme to guide the national budget and identifying structural reforms to reset the economy.