President Mahama and Finance Minister Signal 'Golden Era' for Ghana's Economy with $10 Billion Investment Plan and SOE Listings

President John Mahama and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson have signaled a major shift in Ghana's economic trajectory, declaring the start of a "golden era" for the private sector. Central to this vision is a $10 billion strategic investment plan over the next four years and a landmark decision to list 10 State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). These moves are designed to stabilize the macroeconomic environment, reduce political interference in public corporations, and catalyze industrial growth through a more transparent and profit-driven governance model.

Speaking during a discussion in New York, President Mahama detailed the plan to transform SOEs into public companies to curb the historical issue of political interference and poor work culture. This initiative follows a significant turnaround in the public sector, where collective SOE profits have risen to nearly GH¢19 billion after years of losses. The President also highlighted a dramatic surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which jumped from $640 million in 2024 to $2.6 billion by late 2025, buoyed by a more stable power supply and improved investor confidence in the nation's infrastructure.

Supporting this presidential vision, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson assured the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) that the upcoming 2027 Budget would serve as a blueprint for comprehensive economic transformation. Dr. Forson urged local industry leaders to support revenue mobilization efforts to reduce the nation's reliance on external borrowing, promising that the government will maintain recent economic stability gains. AGI President Kofi Nsiah-Poku welcomed these developments, noting that the focus on industrial growth and strategic investment is essential for sustainable job creation and long-term national stability.

Industry experts suggest these policy shifts arrive at a critical juncture for the nation. Vish Ashiagbor, Country Senior Partner at PwC Ghana, described the current landscape as an "inflection point" during the UK-Ghana Trade & Investment Summit 2026, noting that the private sector is increasingly taking the lead in driving economic activity. As the Bank of Ghana is projected to maintain stable policy rates, businesses are being encouraged to reevaluate internal processes and explore new markets to capitalize on the emerging opportunities within this evolving growth partnership.