President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy (PAGE) on Wednesday, charging members to provide frank, independent counsel as Ghana confronts renewed debt distress and pursues long-term structural reform.
Speaking at the Jubilee House ceremony on February 11, 2026, President Mahama described PAGE’s formation as critical to strengthening economic governance and restoring policy credibility. He acknowledged Ghana’s return to debt distress despite past assurances following the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) declaration that such circumstances would never recur.
The President stressed that the country is at a critical moment in its economic journey and requires bold thinking, honest assessments and practical solutions to address its challenges. He called for a deliberate shift in economic governance anchored in institutional reform rather than blame.
The President emphasized that the formation of the Advisory Group signals more than a recovery plan, stating the initiative represents institutional reform, transformation, and a permanent reset of Ghana’s economic governance culture.
PAGE has been mandated to provide strategic advice on macroeconomic management, fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability, and coordination between fiscal and monetary policy. The group will advise on industrial development, competitiveness, export-led growth, private sector expansion, and sustainable job creation.
The body will support flagship national initiatives including the 24-hour economy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme. PAGE is expected to conduct periodic assessments of Ghana’s economic performance and provide expert input in negotiations with bilateral and multilateral partners, international financial institutions, and investors.
President Mahama noted that PAGE existed under previous administrations including his earlier tenure, but explained the current configuration has been expanded to reflect growing economic complexity while streamlining overlapping structures such as the former Economic Management Team.
President Mahama called for rigorous analysis and practical proposals rooted in national interest, stating that counsel is expected to be frank, independent, evidence-based, and anchored in the long-term national interest.
PAGE will report directly to the President through advisory memoranda, briefs, and strategic reviews. The Vice President will chair meetings in the President’s absence, while the Minister for Finance, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and other key officials will provide technical support. PAGE will meet quarterly, with emergency meetings held when necessary.
The twelve-member group is chaired by President Mahama and includes Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Mr Ishmael Yamson, Mr Kwame Pianim, Ms Nana Oye Mansa Yeboaa, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, Mr Ato Brown, Dr Henry A. Kofi Wampah, Togbe Afede XIV, Ms Abena Amoah, Professor Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, and Professor Patience Aseweh Abor.
President Mahama highlighted the composition’s diversity in expertise, gender, and generational representation, bringing together seasoned practitioners, academics, private sector leaders, and young professionals.
Concluding his address, the President expressed confidence that PAGE would help rebuild credibility, restore fiscal discipline, attract investment, and reposition Ghana as a competitive and predictable economy.
