EMT membership should constitute individuals not part of Government, says Prof Gatsi

Dean of the School of Business at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor John Gatsi, is advocating for the constitution of an Economic Management Team (EMT) or Economic Advisory Council (EAC) with individuals that have no role in the incumbent Government.

According to Prof. Gatsi, this is necessary to ensure proper assessment of economic challenges facing the country and proffer practical and effective solutions to them.

“You don’t put the Finance Minister and the Agriculture Minister and other key members of the Government together in the EMT or EAC to assess their own work, you don’t do that.

“Countries such as India, Canada, US, and the other advanced countries that have adopted the EMT or EAC model, do not have their ministers as part of the EMT or EAC. Rather, the EMT or EAC is made up of technical individuals who are very knowledgeable about the economy, top business among others who are not part of the incumbent Government,” he remarked.

“And in my view, we should do the same,” he added.

Prof. Gatsi made the above assertion speaking during the NorvanReports and Economic Governance Platform (EGP) X Space Discussion on the topic, “Should Ghana have an Economic Management Team or an Economic Advisory Council?”.

Speaking further during the X Space Discussion, Prof Gatsi noted that the EMT despite not having a constitutional mandate is still necessary and should therefore be maintained.

“With still need an EMT or EAC to advise Cabinet, but it should be one that can enforce the advise recommendations or it makes to Cabinet (sic),” he added.

Source:norvanreports