Centre for Socio-Economic Policy and Anti-Corruption Governance (CESPAG) has commended President John Dramani Mahama and the organizing committee of the 2025 National Economic Dialogue (NED) for spearheading crucial policy discussions aimed at revitalizing Ghana’s economy for sustainable growth.
Speaking at a press briefing in Tamale on March 9, Ali Darabo Suleiman, Executive Director of CESPAG, lauded the dialogue’s emphasis on agriculture and industrialization as the primary drivers of economic transformation.
According to Mr. Suleiman, the dialogue has yielded strategic and pragmatic policies that will facilitate Ghana’s transition to a path of sustainable growth and prosperity for all. “Indeed, the dialogue has produced strategic and pragmatic policies that will help reset Ghana on a path of sustainable growth and prosperity for all,” he stated.
CESPAG has also proposed the introduction of an Agricultural and Industrial Development Levy (AID Levy) to replace the COVID-19 and Electronic Transaction Levies. The proposed AID Levy would impose a 2.5% charge on all goods and services consumed in the country, similar to the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) and GETFund Levy.
Mr. Suleiman noted that the AID Levy could generate over GHS 5 billion annually, which can be utilized to support vital initiatives such as input subsidies to farmers and irrigation farming.
“It is surprising that agriculture and industry, which are the backbone of Ghana’s economy, do not benefit from any direct levy,” Mr. Suleiman explained. “Many Ghanaians consider these levies as nuisance taxes. Replacing them with an AID Levy that directly benefits agriculture and industry may be more acceptable to the public,” he added.
In addition to tax reforms, CESPAG has recommended a revision of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), urging the government to limit its support to basic education, first-degree programs, academic research, and infrastructure development. The Centre has proposed a five-year suspension of GETFund scholarships for postgraduate studies, except for faculty training in universities.
Mr. Suleiman emphasized the need to channel GETFund resources into improving basic education, particularly in rural areas. “We must channel GETFund resources into improving basic education, particularly in rural areas, where some children still study under trees,” he stressed. He also noted that suspending postgraduate scholarships would help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring universal access to free and quality basic education.
CESPAG has endorsed the Ministry of Education’s proposal to fund PhD scholarships for five deserving students from each public university to strengthen academic faculties. Furthermore, the Centre has recommended rebranding the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy as “Government-Parent Sponsored Education” to encourage shared responsibility and retain the parent-child bond.
Mr. Suleiman concluded by urging the government to consider CESPAG’s recommendations to enhance economic transformation, fiscal responsibility, and social equity. “If we are to truly reset Ghana’s economy, we must adopt policies that directly benefit key sectors like agriculture and industry while ensuring that resources for education are efficiently utilized,” he emphasized.
By Phalonzy