"Lead a bold economic revival anchored on sustainable production, environmental responsibility, cultural heritage" - ACEG to Prez. Mahama

Alhaji D.S. Mahama Iddrisu, Economist, Environmentalist, and Human Security Expert, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to lead a bold economic revival anchored on sustainable production, environmental responsibility, and cultural heritage.

He made this call during the Ghana @ 68 Culture, Heritage, Environmental, and Economic Growth Forum (CHEEGF), organized by Arise for Change for Economic Growth (ACEG).

Addressing the nation’s economic decline in recent years, Alhaji Iddrisu criticized the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo for what he described as poor financial management, particularly under the leadership of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

He said Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves were misused, causing significant economic hardship, despite accolades from the international community.

“Despite our abundant natural resources, Ghana has failed to connect them to national development. Our resources are treated as raw exports instead of assets to be refined locally for economic transformation,” he stressed.

ACEG, founded by a group of Ghanaian economists and now boasting over 500,000 members, advocates for a new economic direction rooted in environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, and productive investment.

Four Pillars for Economic Growth

Alhaji Iddrisu outlined four essential areas for building a resilient economy:

1. Land, Environment, Water, and Capital as foundations of growth.

2. Labour, Trade, and Transportation to power industrialization.

3. Education and Healthcare to develop human capital.

4. Infrastructure including roads and housing to support economic activity.

He emphasized the need for strong environmental protection, especially around water bodies and irrigation, to support agriculture and mitigate climate change.

He praised President Mahama’s administration for its attention to climate change and lamented the current environmental crisis under Akufo-Addo’s government.

Strategies for Economic Transformation

The ACEG Chairman proposed practical steps to reboot Ghana’s economy:

• Revive key industries such as the Komenda Sugar Factory, Bonsa Tyre Factory, Ghana Textiles, and local rice production.

• Reintroduce Ghana Airways under a Public-Private Partnership to stimulate tourism and foreign exchange.

• Export skilled professionals trained in Ghanaian institutions to countries such as India, Germany, Brazil, and Kuwait for foreign income generation.

• Promote exports of high-demand goods including honey, cashew, mangoes, salt, and bottled water.

He argued that Ghana must break free from overdependence on imports and foreign currencies like the U.S. dollar.

"We must reduce inflation by producing more locally and introducing fuel subsidies to stabilize prices,” he said.

Global Economic Comparison and Local Lessons

Alhaji Iddrisu presented a global view of how fuel pricing affects national economies and urged Ghana to adopt a model where local production shields citizens from global oil price volatility.

He urged the Mahama-led administration to learn from countries that have stabilized their economies by prioritizing production and managing imports wisely.

Call to President Mahama

Calling President John Mahama “the second coming of Jesus,” Alhaji Iddrisu expressed confidence that Mahama could reset Ghana’s economic trajectory.

He urged the reintroduction of Ghana Airways, revival of cotton production, and establishment of export markets for strategic commodities.

He also reflected on the industrial collapses under former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration and noted how Presidents Mills and Mahama began restoring key factories before the Akufo-Addo government derailed those efforts.

Environmental Crisis and Climate Impact

Highlighting the link between black carbon emissions and worsening climate conditions, he warned that Ghana faces serious risks including food insecurity and premature deaths unless it urgently addresses environmental degradation.

"We must stop deforestation, reduce burning, and protect our air and water,” he urged.

ACEG’s Commitment

ACEG pledged full support for the Mahama administration in restoring the foundation for sustainable economic growth. “We urge citizens and media to integrate cultural heritage with environmental consciousness to ensure long-term prosperity,” Alhaji Iddrisu concluded.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith