Someone must reset Ghana’s destiny, and it must be the president – Dr Yamson

Chairman of the National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee Dr Ishmael Yamson has called for an urgent reset of Ghana’s economy, warning that continued mismanagement and corruption are eroding the country’s future.

Speaking on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the opening of the National Economic Dialogue in Accra, Dr Yamson said Ghana is facing a deep economic crisis due to decades of poor leadership, corruption, and weak institutions.

“Our experience over the past 68 years of independence has not been spectacular. The time has come to make a fresh start,” he said.

Dr Yamson pointed to high unemployment, the collapse of the manufacturing sector, rising food imports, and a growing sense of hopelessness among young people as signs of the country’s economic decline.

He lamented that many young Ghanaians, whom he described as “Generation Hustlers,” have lost confidence in political leaders and are seeking opportunities abroad.

“This is not the Ghana our forefathers fought for. Someone must reset the destiny of Ghana, and that responsibility rests with the president,” he stated.

Mr Yamson praised Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, for his vision of economic self-reliance, recalling his administration’s push for industrialisation.

He described that period as Ghana’s “golden age” but said the dream of transformation has since faded.

He also criticised the current political system, accusing leaders of prioritising power and personal gain over national development.

“Politics today is driven by selfishness, arrogance, and impunity. Corruption is widespread, state institutions are weak, and the economy has been mismanaged,” he said.

While acknowledging external shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain disruptions, Mr Yamson insisted that most of Ghana’s economic challenges are self-inflicted.

“Only our leaders and the people of Ghana can fix this mess,” he said.

He urged the government to use the National Economic Dialogue as a platform for real solutions rather than rhetoric, stressing that Ghana’s future depends on urgent and decisive action.

The two-day dialogue, themed “Resetting Ghana: Building the Economy We Want Together,” will focus on six major economic challenges, with experts expected to propose solutions by the end of the event.

Mr Yamson called for the institutionalisation of the dialogue to ensure that recommendations lead to meaningful reforms rather than becoming another talk shop.

“The task of resetting Ghana cannot be delayed. If we fail to act, we will pay the price,” he warned.

The National Economic Dialogue forms part of a broader effort by the government to address economic challenges and set Ghana on a path to recovery.