ISSER Director, Prof. Robert Darko Osei, delivers the keynote technical presentation on Ghana’s 2025 Economic Performance at the Parliament–Civil Service–Academia Information Sharing Session.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) served as the technical partner for the inaugural Parliament of Ghana--Civil Service-- Academia Information Sharing Session on Economic Governance and Public Financial Management, contributing evidence-based analysis to discussions on Ghana's economic outlook and supporting Parliament's drive to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking.
Convened by the Citizens' Bureau of Parliament under the auspices of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the forum sought to establish a structured platform for collaboration between Parliament, academia and civil society on economic governance and public financial management.
Opening the session, Speaker Bagbin described the initiative as a deliberate effort to strengthen the connection between evidence, policymaking and the everyday realities of Ghanaians. He stressed that effective parliamentary oversight requires "reliable evidence, independent analysis and informed public perspectives", adding that the platform aims to establish "a culture in which knowledge, evidence and citizen experience consistently inform the work of Parliament.
Welcoming participants, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Djietror, said the platform advances the Speaker's vision of strengthening collaboration between Parliament, civil society and academia. He noted that such engagements enhance the legitimacy of Parliament's work and acknowledged ISSER for its continued "valuable support to national development."
As technical partner, ISSER delivered the session's keynote technical presentation on Ghana's 2025 Economic Performance. Presenting on behalf of the Institute's Economics Division, ISSER Director, Prof. Robert Darko Osei, noted that while Ghana recorded encouraging macroeconomic gains in 2025 -- including stronger GDP growth, lower inflation and improved fiscal performance -- the country's long-term challenge remains structural transformation. He argued that Ghana must move beyond exporting low-complexity products through deliberate investments in research and development, infrastructure and a more enabling business environment.
The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Nana Amma Asante-Poku of ISSER's Economics Division, with Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi; Mr. Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President and CEO of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education; and Prof. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour of the University of Ghana. Panellists emphasised the need for timely fiscal data, stronger institutional partnerships between Parliament and academia, sustainable funding for research-policy engagement, and structured mechanisms to connect parliamentary committees with researchers and civil society organisations.
In his concluding remarks, Speaker Bagbin encouraged Parliament's committees to view the forum not as an isolated event but as the beginning of a continuous institutional relationship with academia, civil society and policy think tanks. He also urged research institutions to continue providing timely, objective and policy-relevant research to strengthen legislative scrutiny and democratic accountability.
Dr Asante-Poku closed the session by highlighting ISSER's professional short courses, including tailored programmes that support organisations in strengthening research and analytical capacity.
ISSER's role in the inaugural session reflects the Institute's longstanding reputation as a trusted source of independent, policy-relevant research. Held on 29 July 2026 at Alisa Hotel in Accra, the engagement also builds on ISSER's growing collaboration with Parliament to strengthen the use of evidence in legislative processes and public financial management. Other members of the Institute's Economics Division -- including Prof. Ama Pokuaa Fenny (Head, Economics Division), Prof. Fred Mawunyo Dzanku, Dr. Ralph Armah and Dr. Kwame Adjei Mantey -- participated in the session alongside Prof. Robert Darko Osei and Dr. Nana Amma Asante-Poku.
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