The President of the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), Prof. Rym Ayadi, Senior Advisor at CEPS and co-founder of the Brain Capital Alliance and the Brain Economy Hub, was among the distinguished speakers at the Ghana Post-Budget Forum 2025. The event, organized by Ghana KPMG and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), took place on March 13, 2025 and brought together key stakeholders to analyze Ghana’s economic strategy for the coming fiscal year.
The 2025 Budget Speech, delivered on March 11, 2025, by Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finance, outlined the government’s economic recovery and fiscal policy agenda under President John Dramani Mahama. The budget aims to address critical challenges such as high debt levels, inflation (23.8%), and exchange rate instability. With public sector arrears reaching GH¢67.5 billion and significant debt repayments due in 2027-2028, the government has proposed several reforms, including the 24-Hour Economy Policy—designed to boost industrial growth and employment—and the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board to enhance foreign exchange reserves. The budget also emphasizes fiscal discipline, expenditure control, and a robust debt management strategy.
The Ghana Post-Budget Forum 2025 featured an in-depth discussions on the budget’s impact on the economy, businesses, and citizens. Panelists explored the government’s financial strategies and their alignment with sustainable development goals for the new fiscal year.
During her intervention, Prof. Ayadi emphasized: “For Ghana’s 2025 Budget to succeed, fiscal discipline must be matched with smart investments in infrastructure, sustainable energy reforms, and private sector-driven growth. The government must ensure petroleum and gold revenues are leveraged effectively, while renegotiating mining concessions and power agreements to maximize national benefits and create local value. A balanced approach—combining targeted spending, debt restructuring, and economic diversification—will create jobs, stabilize inflation, and restore investor confidence. Execution, transparency, accountability, and monitoring will be the ultimate measures of success.”
The panel featured prominent experts, including Mr. Kofi Frempong-Kore (Partner, Head of Tax, KPMG), Dr. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour (Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana, Economics Department), Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke (President, Association of Ghana Industries), Ms. Fati Attahiru (Acting Deputy Resident, UNDP), and Ms. Nelly Mireku (Head, World Bank Unit, External Resource Mobilization Division, Ministry of Finance).
The discussion was moderated by Mr. George Wiafe (JoyNews), with Ms. Amma Oforiwaa Bonsu. Keynote speaker of the event was Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, Head of Research, Ministry of Finance of Ghana who stepped in for Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana Minister for Finance due to an urgent engagement.
It should be noted that Kwame Sarpong Barnieh (CPA, CGMA), Head of Advisory at Ghana KPMG, also serves as a member of the Executive Board of EMEA. A Certified Public Accountant with an Executive MBA from Penn State Smeal Business School, Kwame has accumulated extensive global experience working in the United States and across West Africa.
