adverts
Development economist and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Hayford Ayerakwa, has raised concerns over President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to hold a National Economic Dialogue so soon after assuming office.
He argues that while stakeholder engagement is crucial, the timing of the dialogue is misplaced.
Dr. Ayerakwa contends that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government already gathered ample input from various stakeholders during the 2024 election campaign, which informed the party’s manifesto and ultimately helped secure victory.
adverts
On Monday, March 3, 2025, President Mahama convened the National Economic Dialogue, stating that the objective was not just to discuss Ghana’s economic challenges but to identify actionable solutions for national progress.
“We are not here to recount our struggles, nor are we here to resign ourselves to economic stagnation. We are here to seek solutions that will put us on a path of growth trajectory and to ensure that we build an economy that works for every Ghanaian,” Mahama asserted.
He emphasized that the event was not just another policy discussion but an urgent call to action requiring the commitment of all stakeholders.
However, Dr. Ayerakwa believes that such a major dialogue should have been preceded by the implementation of policies already outlined in the party’s manifesto.
He argues that before seeking additional ideas, the government should first demonstrate its vision through policy implementation, especially after the presentation of its first budget.
Speaking in a phone interview with Hot FM, Dr. Ayerakwa also questioned the broadness of stakeholder engagement, revealing that many key institutions were not consulted.
“As a member of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), I was not informed about this dialogue. This suggests that only a select few were invited to contribute, leaving out crucial voices,” he remarked.
He suggested that instead of rushing a two-day dialogue, President Mahama could have:
- Leveraged institutions like the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to organize a structured and inclusive engagement.
- Engaged stakeholders at various levels, from grassroots communities to national bodies, to gather sector-specific solutions.
To support his argument, he cited various recognized institutions within the education sector, such as:
- Vice Chancellors Ghana
- University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG)
- Senior and Junior Staff Associations
- Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT)
- National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT)
- Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS)
According to him, these groups could provide targeted recommendations for economic and sectoral reforms, ensuring that policies directly address pressing national concerns.
While Dr. Ayerakwa clarified that he is not against stakeholder engagements, he believes the government should first roll out its promised policies before initiating another round of consultations.
He urged President Mahama to focus on implementing the party’s manifesto policies rather than engaging in broad national discussions that could delay decisive action.
“If these ideas were good enough to win an election, they should be good enough to be implemented before another round of deliberations,” he concluded.
As the economic dialogue unfolds, many will be watching closely to see whether policy implementation follows swiftly or if Ghana will remain in a cycle of discussions without concrete action.
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or Email: manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
