By Collins Sarkodieh 
A groundbreaking assembly of economists in Accra has unveiled a data-driven roadmap to accelerate Ghana’s economic development across agriculture, industry, and education.
As part of the “Ghana Priorities” project, researchers from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Copenhagen Consensus Centre submitted findings this weekend that identify exactly where the government should spend its next cedi for maximum impact.
This initiative is not about guesswork; it is about rigorous cost-benefit analysis designed to filter out inefficient spending and highlight policies that offer the highest social returns. From subsidizing fertilizer to restructuring primary school classrooms, the goal is clear: transform Ghana into a prosperous hub by prioritizing the smartest investments. As the conference enters its final day at the Kempinski Hotel, the focus shifts toward Establishing a definitive rank of interventions that will define the nation’s fiscal future.
How can Ghana maximize its agricultural output and food security?
The most cost-effective agricultural intervention identified by researchers is a strategic fertilizer subsidy, which is estimated to yield benefits over four times greater than its initial cost. Professor Robert Darko Osei from the University of Ghana notes that while the country is shifting toward industry, agriculture remains the primary vehicle for poverty reduction, employing over 40% of the workforce.
To move the needle on food security, the team analyzed three primary levers: increasing land under cultivation, improving yields through seeds and irrigation, and reducing post-harvest losses via better warehousing. While irrigation and mechanization are vital for long-term growth, the immediate return on investment for fertilizer subsidies provides a massive “bang for the buck.” By making inputs more accessible, the government can directly increase the productivity of smallholder farmers, ensuring that the bedrock of the Ghanaian economy remains resilient during global transitions.
What urgent measures are needed to save Ghana’s marine fish stocks?
Economists are calling for the replacement of illegal fishing nets and the implementation of video monitoring on trawl vessels to prevent a total ecological collapse of Ghana’s marine life. Professor Wisdom Akpalu, Dean at GIMPA, warns that the marine fish stock is currently biologically over-exploited, threatening the livelihoods of at least 3 million people who depend on the artisanal fishing value chain.
The research suggests a three-pronged policy attack: limiting the number of boats while subsidizing fish farming to reduce pressure on the sea, enforcing net regulations, and using technology to monitor illegal activities. These interventions are not just about saving fish; they are about guaranteeing sustainable income for the millions of Ghanaians who rely on the blue economy. Without these measures, the risk of a collapsed fishery could trigger a localized economic depression in coastal communities, making these “positive return” investments a moral and economic necessity.
Can management consulting really transform Ghanaian factories?
According to Professor Peter Quartey, every cedi spent on government-supported management consulting for medium-sized companies can return nearly 10 times the original investment. This type of support focuses on refining internal processes such as human resources, inventory management, and quality control, which are often the hidden bottlenecks holding back industrial expansion.
The data shows a fascinating disparity in returns: while large enterprises see a 6x return on management improvements, medium-sized companies see nearly a 10x return. This suggests that the “missing middle” of Ghana’s industrial sector is ripe for growth if given the right professional guidance. By helping factories work smarter rather than just harder, the state can foster a more competitive manufacturing sector capable of substituting imports and driving export-led growth.
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How does improving credit access create 12 cedis of benefit for every cedi spent?
By strengthening the credit referencing system and improving the quality of information available to lenders, the government can unlock billions in private sector financing. Professor Quartey highlighted that a rewards and sanctions regime, combined with a better national address system, creates nearly 12 cedis worth of social benefit for every cedi invested in the system’s infrastructure.
Access to credit is the “oxygen” of the private sector, yet many Ghanaian businesses remain suffocated by high interest rates and collateral requirements. When lenders have better data and more confidence in the address system, the perceived risk of lending drops. This creates a more fluid credit market where capital flows to the most innovative businesses rather than just the most well-connected ones. Furthermore, providing capital grants to selected microenterprises offers a 7x return, proving that even small injections of liquidity at the grassroots level can spark significant economic activity.
Why is ‘Teaching at the Right Level’ the most impactful education reform?
The pedagogical approach of ‘Teaching at the Right Level’ (TaRL) targets instruction to a child’s actual learning needs rather than their age, generating social benefits worth 8 cedis for every cedi spent. Introduced by Dr. Festus Ebo Turkson and Dr. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, this method involves splitting students into groups based on their literacy and numeracy levels for just one or two hours a day.
Education researchers found that of all the measures studied from SHS improvements to job training—quality primary education has the highest lifetime impact. Better learning outcomes in early years translate to a 1.5% increase in total earnings over a student’s life. This “low-tech” intervention is highly cost-effective because it doesn’t require expensive new buildings; it simply requires a shift in how teachers interact with their students. It turns the classroom into a dynamic environment where no child is left behind because the curriculum was moving too fast.
What can we expect from the final day of the Ghana Priorities conference?
The conference resumes today with critical research presentations on poverty, nutrition, land records, transport, and sanitation. These final pieces of the puzzle will provide the “Eminent Panel” with the full picture of the Ghanaian economy, allowing them to finalize a list of national priorities that will be presented to the public on Monday.
The panel, which includes Nobel Prize recipient Finn Kydland and six of Ghana’s most distinguished economists, has the unenviable task of ranking these 28 research findings. Their final report will essentially tell the government: “If you have 100 million cedis, spend it on X first, then Y, then Z.” This level of clarity is rare in national planning and promises to provide a non-partisan, scientifically backed agenda for whoever leads the country in the coming years.
How will these findings shape the future of the NDPC’s national plans?
The collaboration between the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Copenhagen Consensus ensures that these academic findings are translated into actionable government policy. By embedding cost-benefit analysis into the heart of national planning, Ghana is signaling to international investors and citizens alike that it is committed to fiscal responsibility and high-impact development.
In a world where resources are limited and the pressure to grow is immense, having a “priority list” prevents the scattergun approach to development that has plagued many emerging economies. Whether it is the 12x return on credit referencing or the 8x return on primary education, the NDPC now has a “cheat sheet” for prosperity. The real challenge will be the political will to follow the data, even when it suggests moving away from popular but less efficient projects in favor of those that truly build the nation.
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