Co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) and a renowned policy analyst, Dr. Steve Manteaw, believes some appointees of President Mahama deserve accolades for their sterling performance in government so far.
Dr. Manteaw, who is the former chairman of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), is amazed by the strategic reforms and economic gains spearheaded by these government officials following their appointment by President John Dramani Mahama.
These key appointees, he says, have demonstrated exceptional leadership in navigating economic and governance challenges. From stabilizing the energy sector to pioneering new revenue reforms in the gold industry, these officials are fast emerging as the backbone of Ghana’s new economic direction.
For Dr. Manteaw, out of numerous appointees, 4 of them emerge as his top star performers. Let’s find them and why they are earning the admiration of the policy analyst.
Energy Minister Earns Spot Despite Troubled Start
Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor’s efforts to avert a looming crisis in the power sector, Dr. Manteaw says, deserve some accolades. By renegotiating legacy power purchase agreements and encouraging private sector participation in metering and revenue collection, the minister is building a more sustainable energy ecosystem. Importantly, the commitment to open contracting is raising transparency and accountability in the sector.
Finance Minister’s Fiscal Prudence Went Unnoticed
The Forson Doctrine of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, seems to be sending him places. Dr. Manteaw recognizes the fiscal prudence embraced by the Minister, which is paying off. The current macroeconomic stability and the booming cedi are credited to the fiscal prudence in the face of domestic and global economic pressures.
Dr. Manteaw noted that this stewardship has positioned Ghana on a stronger financial footing, enabling growth and investor confidence.
Despite the Woes of Galamsey, Lands and Natural Resources Wasn’t Overlooked
Dr. Steve Manteaw recognizes that, under the leadership of the Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, as controversial as it may sound, Ghana’s fight against illegal mining (galamsey) is seeing results. He says the fight has seen more arrests and a renewed national focus on environmental protection. The creation of Blue Water Guards, a strategic move to protect vital water bodies, as well as ongoing legal and policy reforms, are reshaping resource governance in the country.
Significant Revenues of the Newly Established GoldBod Give the CEO a Spot
The CEO of Goldbod, Sammy Gyamfi, is the only non-minister to make it on Dr. Manteaw’s list of star performers. The CEO of GoldBod is being hailed for leading the charge on President Mahama’s flagship gold trading programme, a bold initiative aimed at ensuring Ghana retains more value from its gold exports.
This strategy is already contributing to an improved Balance of Payments and strengthening the local currency.
Do you agree with Dr. Steve Manteaw? What is your own assessment?
But one thing is very clear: the gains and reforms from the leadership of these appointees, if sustained, may well form the foundation for broader structural transformation under Mahama’s leadership.
