Government has clarified that members of President John Dramani Mahama’s newly formed Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy (PAGE) will serve without pay, reinforcing the administration’s message that the body is focused on national service rather than personal gain.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the advisers are not government employees and are therefore not entitled to salaries or allowances. Speaking on the Joy Super Morning Show on January 16, he explained that the individuals were selected for their experience and professional standing, not for remuneration.
According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, many members of the advisory group are already engaged in full-time professional work, including academia and private sector leadership, with some already on the public payroll through other roles. As such, he said there is no arrangement for extra compensation linked to their advisory duties.
He noted that PAGE will operate flexibly, with members deciding how often to meet and how best to organise their work, while maintaining a close watch on economic developments and policy outcomes.
“Their role is to ensure that economic policies translate into real benefits for Ghanaians,” he said, stressing that the advisers were invited because of their commitment to national development.
The advisory group is made up of seasoned economists, former central bank governors, private sector leaders and academics, including Kwame Pianim, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Sir Sam Jonah, Ishmael Yamson, Nana Oye Mansa Yeboaa, Togbe Afede XIV, Abena Amoah, Dr. Henry Kofi Wampah, Ato Brown, Prof. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour and Prof. Patience Aseweh Abor.
Government has indicated that PAGE’s work will focus on providing high-level guidance on macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, debt management and coordination between fiscal and monetary policy, while also advising on industrialisation, private sector growth, investment mobilisation and job creation.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu emphasised that the advisers were motivated by public interest, describing their involvement as a call to contribute expertise toward strengthening the management of the national economy.
