The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has clarified why the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Asiama, are not members of the newly constituted Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy (PAGE).
According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, their exclusion is deliberate and intended to safeguard the independence of the advisory body.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, January 16, he explained that PAGE is designed to provide objective advice without influence from officials who will ultimately be responsible for implementing policy decisions.
“The Finance Minister and Governor of the Bank of Ghana are not part of PAGE to ensure that the advice is independent of those involved in the day-to-day administration of the economy,” he said.
He was responding to public concerns questioning the relevance of PAGE, given the existence of a substantive Finance Minister and a Presidential Adviser on the Economy, Seth Terkper.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that the creation of such advisory bodies is not new to Ghana’s governance framework, noting that similar arrangements existed under former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama.
President John Dramani Mahama announced the establishment of the 12-member PAGE on January 15 as part of efforts to strengthen economic governance. In a statement issued the same day, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the Advisory Group was constituted in line with the government’s commitment to restoring macroeconomic stability, strengthening fiscal sustainability and accelerating inclusive, job-rich growth.
This agenda is to be driven by flagship initiatives such as the 24-Hour Economy, the Accelerated Export Development Programme and the broader Reset Agenda.
The statement explained that PAGE will provide independent, non-partisan and strategic economic advice to the President, including guidance on macroeconomic management, fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability and coherence between fiscal and monetary policy.
The Group will also advise on structural transformation, industrial development, export-led growth, private sector expansion and job creation, while supporting economic negotiations with bilateral and multilateral partners.
PAGE will report directly to the President and submit advisory briefs and strategic reviews as required.
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