The Chairman of the 14th Ghana Economic Forum (GEF), Mr. Edward Annan, has urged policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to translate dialogue into action as Ghana navigates a critical phase of economic recalibration.
Delivering his opening remarks at the 2025 Ghana Economic Forum held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, under the theme “Currency Stability – A Reset for Sustainable Economic Growth,” Mr. Annan said the nation’s progress depends on fiscal discipline, productive investment, and sustainable growth.
“This year’s forum arrives at a critical time for Ghana. Our economy has weathered turbulent global headwinds—from supply chain disruptions to climate shocks and shifting investment patterns. We are in a period of recalibration, and our guiding service must be fiscal discipline, productive investment, and sustainable growth,” he said.
He emphasized that while the Ghana Economic Forum has long served as a marketplace of ideas, the 2025 edition must go beyond discussions to produce measurable outcomes.
Mr. Annan underscored the importance of channeling capital into productive sectors that foster innovation, create jobs, and enhance competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He called for an industrial policy that is “bold yet pragmatic,” one that supports local industries to transition from mere survival to global competitiveness.
Turning to the energy sector, the GEF Chairman stressed that Ghana’s economic ambitions would falter without reliable and affordable energy. He called for a balanced approach that ensures energy security today while gradually transitioning to clean and renewable sources.
“The transition must be carefully managed, supported by policy, investment, and skills development to ensure no community is left behind,” he stated.
Mr. Annan also highlighted the need for value addition in agriculture, describing it as key to sustainable industrialization.
He further called on stakeholders to break the silos between government, the private sector, academia, and civil society, stressing that no single sector holds all the answers to Ghana’s economic challenges.
“This forum is not a place for rhetoric, it’s a workshop for solutions.Progress will come from partnerships, guided by evidence, data, and the lived experiences of our people,” Mr. Annan asserted
He expressed optimism that the 14th Ghana Economic Forum would produce actionable and measurable recommendations focused on strengthening fiscal resilience, attracting sustainable investment, transforming Ghana’s energy sector, and building strong agro-industrial value chains.
