Credibility key to Ghana's Fiscal Council's success – Dr Osabutey

Dr Daniel Osabutey, a Senior Lecturer at Accra Technical University’s business school, says the success of Ghana’s new fiscal council will hinge on its ability to establish credibility, independence, and strong analytical authority from the outset.

Dr Osabutey said the council’s long-term relevance will rest on its ability to combine institutional independence with rigorous, evidence-based analysis as foundations that must be carefully laid, adding that the council could evolve into a critical pillar of Ghana’s fiscal governance framework.

President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of members to the Fiscal Council marks an important step toward strengthening fiscal discipline and improving economic management.

Established under the Public Financial Management Act, the Council is expected to provide independent fiscal analysis, monitor budget implementation, and promote responsible public financial practices.

Dr Osabutey told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that unlike executive institutions, such bodies derive influence from the trust placed in their analysis by policymakers, investors, and the general public, stressing that trust is built when their work is consistently objective, professional, and free from political interference.

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He mentioned that public confidence could erode immediately if their findings were perceived as politically influenced; as such, safeguarding both legal and operational independence must be treated as a priority.

He added that it was important to access reliable and timely data from institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Statistical Service, and the Bank of Ghana for accurate macroeconomic and budgetary purposes, saying that delays or inconsistencies in data could weaken the quality of analysis and limit the council’s ability to provide meaningful insights into government spending and fiscal sustainability.

The senior lecturer added that the council’s role within Ghana’s broader fiscal framework must also be clearly defined as existing institutions already perform key functions in economic management and oversight, saying that there might be duplication or institutional friction without clarity.

He added that communication would further determine the council’s impact, explaining that fiscal policy analysis is often technical, yet its value lies in informing both decision-makers and the public.

“If findings are presented only in complex reports, their influence may be limited,” he stated.

Dr Osabutey noted that fiscal policy analysis needed to be clearly communicated and accessible to help translate technical insights into practical understanding to strengthen public engagement and accountability.

“If the Council’s findings remain buried in technical reports, their impact may be limited; presenting clear, accessible summaries of its work will help bridge the gap between expert analysis and public discourse,” he stated.