The Ghana Compact

The Compact for Ghana aims to define the future we want

Countrymen, the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility; and yet it is a noble and glorious challenge – a challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage to envision, the courage to fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieve – to achieve the highest excellencies and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life?

— Kwame Nkrumah

Why Ghana needs a Compact for Political and Economic Transformation

Ghana remains a leader in African stability and governance with the Freedom in the World 2021 report identifying the country as the best example of civil liberties and democracy on the continent. However, Ghana still faces political, social, and economic challenges despite spurts of progress over the years. Its frequent resorts to IMF bailouts- seventeenth times over the past three decades -has led The Economist to recently characterize Ghana as the African country that manages to turn success into failure. As we approach the 2nd half of the 21st century, it is imperative that we correct course and turn our fortunes around.

What is the Compact?

Formulated by Dr. K.Y. Amoako – Founder and President of the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) – in collaboration with seven prominent policy institutes, the Compact for Political and Economic Transformation is an initiative focused on setting a vision for our nation, outlining collectively agreed solutions for the country’s biggest challenges, and identifying targets for tracking progress towards the agreed vision.

THE COMPACT AT A GLANCE
Ghana map

K.Y. Amoako’s K.B. Amissah-Arthur Economic Forum Keynote Address

Dr. K.Y. Amoako delivered the Keynote address at the K.B. Amissah-Arthur Economic Forum at the Department of Economics, University of Ghana on June 30, 2023.

READ MORE

Latest Compact Event

2024

JUN

18

Citizens’ Convention

A gathering of over 500 Ghanaians representing all key stakeholder groups including political leaders, government agencies, civil society organizations, women and youth groups, professional associations, private sector groups, and university students for dialogue and a national consensus on the country’s challenges and critical issues. The discussions pulled on the analysis provided by the Ghana Compact Partners and the engagement and feedback from fellow citizens to debate and adopt a Compact Declaration, which will serve as a working Social Contract between the citizens of Ghana and their government, irrespective of the political party in power.

Download the Summary

Latest Compact Op-eds

What is your Ghanaian dream?

Ghana has many reasons to be proud, but we are yet to achieve our full potential. As we celebrated our 66th year of independence, we asked Ghanaians to share what their dream for Ghana is. Here’s what you had to say.

Caleb Kudah

Broadcast journalist, Citi TV

Dzifa Bampoh

Communications Practitioner

Isaac Quartson

Economist, PFM TAX Africa Network

Doris Nana Kessie

Founder, Doress Skills Development Center

Gifty Volimkarime Kuug

Youth Activist

Vera Addo

Youth Advisor, Oxfam

Compact Targets and Goals

Consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana’s commitment under the AU’s Agenda 2063, the Compact is setting six key goals and targets for building a prosperous and equitable society.

Ensure that the Constitution serves Ghana better.

Formulate a long-term vision and strategy for economic transformation.

Create macroeconomic and fiscal stability for sustained growth.

Enable the private sector to drive economic transformation.

Empower women as a moral and economic imperative.

Build a secure future for our youth.

Ghana Compact Roadmap

Key milestones and targets of the Ghana Compact

Key Milestone
Key Milestone

Origins of the Compact

The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) was founded to help African governments and the private sector deliver economic transformation that improves lives.

Key Milestone
Key Milestone

Technical Papers

To start the process towards the Compact, seven of the leading Ghanaian policy institutes joined with ACET in preparing eight technical papers on Ghana’s political and economic transformation.

find out more
Key Milestone
Key Milestone

Peduase Retreat

To review and comment on drafts of the technical papers prepared by the policy institutes and to deliberate on the way forward, a retreat was held at the Peduase Valley Resort in July 2022.

Find out more
Key Milestone
Key Milestone

Technical Consultations

Based on the eight technical papers developed by Ghanaian policy institutes, consultations and engagements have been conducted with a broad range of experts, policymakers, and citizens to reach a consensus on recommendations.

Explore past consultations
Key Milestone
Key Milestone

Launch of the Compact process

The Ghana Compact was formally launched on 6th December 2022. With coverage from all major media houses, the event shared with the citizenry the need for the Compact and the issues, goals and targets set out in the technical papers.

Find out more
Key Milestone
Key Milestone

National Consultations

Led by civil society organizations, community and district levels consultations will be held to obtain citizens' views on the goals and targets set forth in the technical papers.

Key Milestone
Key Milestone

National Convention

The National Convention will be held in June 2023, bringing together people representing all layers of Ghanaian society – including political parties, youth, women, traditional and religious leaders, private sector representatives, organized labor, and disabled persons.

Key Milestone
Key Milestone

Implementing the Compact

The Compact will continue to inform the policy plans for governments starting in 2025. Several indicators will help track the Compact’s progress.

Ghana Compact
on Twitter

Follow @GhanaCompact

Ghana Compact Partners

The Compact Leadership Group

The Ghana Compact Leadership Group has been set up to frame the values and visions that will be the foundation for crafting Ghana’s economic and political transformation.

find out more

Partner Policy Institutes

Seven prominent policy institutes in Ghana have joined forces with the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), in developing The Compact for Political and Economic Transformation.

Find out more

Partner Civil Society Organizations

In partnership with ACET, select civil society organizations will drive a broad national consultation and citizen engagement process.

Find out more

All your questions are answered

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

What is the Compact?

The brainchild of Dr. Amoako, founder of the African Center for Economic transformation in collaboration with prominent policy institutes, The Compact is a consensus building initiative that seeks to set forth targets and goals to bring about Ghana’s economic and political transformation

Why is there a need for the Compact?

65 years post-independence, Ghana still faces tough social, political and economic challenges. Our youth are progressively becoming disenchanted and distrustful of our leaders and institutions as they grapple with unemployment. The polarization of our politics is drawing us further and further apart when we should be working together for our common good. Ghana struggles to translate its abundant natural and human resources into economic and social well-being. At the same time, we must confront and adapt to the global challenges—such as climate change, population growth, and public health—that pose direct threats to our survival.

As we approach the 2nd half of the 21st century, it is imperative now that we correct course and turn our fortunes around. We have a window of opportunity over the next twelve months, before the 2024 election campaigns go into full drive, to build a national consensus around Ghana’s biggest opportunities and challenges and to put those issues squarely on the agenda for debate during the next election.

How will the Compact transform Ghana?

The Compact will propose a roadmap to achieving six key goals and targets for building a prosperous and equitable society. These are:

  • Ensuring that the Constitution serves Ghana better.
  • Formulating a long-term vision and strategy for economic transformation.
  • Creating macroeconomic and fiscal stability for sustained growth.
  • Enabling the private sector to drive economic transformation.
  • Empowering women as a moral and economic imperative.
  • Building a secure future for our youth.
Who is working on the Compact?

7 respected policy institutes are partnering with the African Center for Economic Transformation in preparing technical papers on the six critical goals and targets for dialogue and consensus. Consultation with a wide cross section of the Ghanaian population has led to support from civil society groups, private sector representatives, media, youth influencers, the Trade Union Council (TUC), key national institutions including the Council of State, the Standing Committee of the National House of Chiefs, the Speaker and the majority and minority leadership of Parliament, the National Center for Civic Education (NCCE), and several religious leaders.

What are the funding sources for the Compact?

The Compact is primarily funded by homegrown Ghanaian businesses as well as development agencies.

How can I join/support the Compact?

Join the conversation, we would love to hear your thoughts. Support the Compact initiative by engaging with the discussions and issues as they are discussed in the media and across digital platforms. You can also donate by clicking the donate button right here (insert donate link)