Country Profile
From The Report: Ghana 2020
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In December 2020 Ghanaians will go to the polls to elect a president and members of the National Assembly. The incumbent leader of the ruling New Patriotic Party, President Nana Akufo-Addo, is seeking re-election. He will take on former President John Dramani Mahama, who was elected as the candidate for the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress. The event will be the seventh peaceful general election since the return to full democracy in 1996. As a presidential and unitary republic with a unicameral legislature and independent judiciary, Ghana also recognises the importance of its regions, each of which have their own assemblies and local government units. This chapter also contains viewpoints from President Nana Akufo-Addo; and Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. In addition, this section includes interviews from Vice-President Mahamudu; and K Y Amoako, President, African Centre for Economic Transformation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Diversity and development: Ghana positions itself as a key player in the broader region
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As the first African country to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957, Ghana is one of the most stable multi-party democracies in the region and one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent. In July 2019 the capital city Accra was selected by the African Union as the host city of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, due in part to Ghana’s long history of pan-African engagement. The country has built up its trading potential with major infrastructural upgrades…

Viewpoint

The straight path: President Nana Akufo-Addo, on the rule of law, fighting corruption, and the importance of a free and independent media
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Viewpoint:President Nana Akufo-Addo There is a lot that is right about Ghana and its people. We are enjoying the longest period of stability since independence in 1957. We are a democratic nation, with people who are strongly attached to its freedoms. Our country is rich in human and material resources. We can draw on a significant number of educated, hardworking and enterprising people, both at home and abroad. Ours is a nation with a positive international image on a continent that is slowly,…

Overview

Body politic: Elections solidify a prolonged period of democratic rule
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In December 2020 Ghanaians will go to the polls to elect a president and members of the National Assembly. The incumbent head of state and leader of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), President Nana Akufo-Addo, is seeking re-election. He will take on former President John Dramani Mahama, who was elected as the candidate for the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This will mark the third time the two politicians have faced each other, with then-Vice President…

Interview

Building confidence: Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, Chairman, Economic Management Team, on the opportunities for the private sector to propel inclusive economic growth
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Interview:Mahamudu Bawumia What steps has the government taken to foster a more business-friendly environment? MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA: We need the private sector to play a greater role to counter the over-reliance on the government. This means that we had to tackle some of the major challenges businesses faced, starting with restoring macroeconomic stability – something often taken for granted. We took the bull by the horns and implemented fiscal consolidation, reducing the deficit from 9.3%…

Analysis

Ties that bind: International cooperation and bilateral agreements to ensure greater economic development and trade opportunities
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Since independence in 1957, Ghana’s foreign policy has been characterised by a core set of interests and values that have remained relatively consistent. As a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961, Ghana has been dedicated to maintaining positive neutrality and promoting multilateralism. As the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to declare independence, successive governments have remained devoted to pan-Africanism, and the country lives up to the ideal today through its…

Interview

Beyond aid: K Y Amoako, President, African Centre for Economic Transformation, on the Ghana Beyond Aid strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
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Interview:K Y Amoako What steps are being taken to reduce Ghana’s reliance on foreign aid programmes? K Y AMOAKO: Aid has played a significant role in the economic development of Ghana and many other African countries. However, the government’s Ghana Beyond Aid (GBA) strategy correctly asserts that aid will not be enough to achieve economic transformation. GBA seeks to move the economy away from reliance on the export of raw commodities towards manufacturing and high-value services that…

Analysis

Game-changer: New trade deal lays the groundwork for acceleration of integration and intra-continental trade in Africa
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Although trade flows among African states remain below their potential, an ambitious project is under way to accelerate economic integration and significantly expand intra-continental trade. Spearheaded by the African Union (AU), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement was signed in March 2018 and aims to substantially reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. As of December 2019 the AfCFTA had the backing of 54 out of the 55 member states of the AU. Major Deal The…

Viewpoint

Come together: Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, on developing a holistic cross-Atlantic relationship
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Viewpoint:Mia Amor Mottley The current generation of Ghanaians and Barbadians possesses a solid historical foundation on which to develop our future relationship. We must build bridges and a comprehensive, holistic partnership that permits us to come together as members of an extended family to reconnect in the deep spiritual and cultural ways that bind us together. To build what should be known as our Atlantic bridge, we must never make the mistake of only thinking of the relationship as…