Ghana Must Produce, Not Borrow – ACEG Chairman Declares


At the Ghana @ 68 Culture, Heritage, Environmental, and Economic Growth Forum (CHEEGF) held on April 15, 2025, in Accra, the National Chairman of Arise for Change for Economic Growth (ACEG), Alhaji D.S. Mahama Iddrisu, delivered a compelling keynote address urging a national reset of Ghana’s economic direction through sustainable and integrated strategies.

Speaking at Wesley Tower Ministries, Alhaji Iddrisu, a renowned economist, environmentalist, and human security expert, welcomed a distinguished gathering of policymakers, diplomats, traditional leaders, media, and civil society actors. He emphasized the urgent need to connect Ghana’s cultural heritage and environmental assets to its economic agenda, stating that the nation’s vast natural resources have not been harnessed effectively for national benefit.

“Culture and heritage are not just about the past—they are tools for the present and the future. By integrating our tangible and intangible heritage with environmental sustainability, we can unlock economic growth,” Alhaji Iddrisu declared.

He criticized the economic legacy of the Akufo-Addo administration, particularly the mismanagement of Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and the failure to implement meaningful environmental policies, which he said have deepened economic hardship and worsened climate-related risks.

ACEG, with over 500,000 members across Ghana, outlined a comprehensive roadmap to reposition Ghana’s economy. This includes:

  • Strategic investment in agriculture, trade, education, healthcare, and infrastructure
  • Reviving defunct industries like Ghana Airways, Bonsa Tyre Factory, and Komenda Sugar Factory
  • Promoting exports of honey, cashew, salt, mangoes, and bottled water
  • Partnering with universities and ministries to train and export skilled professionals to countries like India, Germany, and Brazil to generate foreign exchange through a National Domestic Product (NDP) model

Alhaji Iddrisu stressed the need for fuel subsidies and a stronger local production base to stabilize prices and reduce the dependency on imports and foreign currency, particularly the U.S. dollar.

He made a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, describing him as "the second coming of Jesus in Ghana’s Fourth Republic," and urged him to restore what was lost under previous administrations.

“Mr. President, the eight years under former President Akufo-Addo did not only destroy the economy but weakened our environmental and industrial base. It is time to reset, rebuild, and redirect,” he said.

Highlighting the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, Alhaji Iddrisu pointed to recent crop failures due to erratic rainfall and warned of worsening food insecurity unless urgent action is taken.

He concluded with a historical reflection, noting that economic growth collapsed under the Kufuor administration and was only partially revived under the Mills-Mahama governments. He reiterated that without export-led production and industrial recovery, true economic growth remains elusive.

ACEG pledged its commitment to supporting sustainable development and called on the media, civil society, and citizens to rally behind the effort to reclaim Ghana’s economic future.

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