Ghana’s recent economic performance reflects recovery rather than deep structural reform, economist Professor Godfred A. Bokpin has said, warning that growth achieved at the expense of the environment should not be celebrated.
Speaking in an interview on Ekosiisen on Asempa FM, Professor Bokpin, a finance professor, agreed with an earlier assessment by Professor Isaac Boadi of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, that the growth recorded in 2025 was largely recovery-driven. He explained that government policy choices were shaped by difficult trade-offs after the economy had deteriorated sharply.
According to him, authorities prioritised aggressive disinflation to stabilise the economy, a decision that inevitably constrained growth. “You cannot bring inflation down aggressively and have optimal growth at the same time,” he said, adding that while the recovery growth was not entirely disappointing, it was neither strong nor job-rich.
Professor Bokpin said the strategy was understandable given prevailing conditions, but stressed that the side effects could not be ignored. He singled out the government’s failure to address irresponsible mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, as a major shortcoming that had undermined the overall economic record.
“You cannot dissociate the economy from the environment,” he said, arguing that sustainable and transformative growth is impossible without environmental sustainability and ecological integrity. He said this concern prevented him from celebrating headline economic gains.
Taking a broader value-chain view of the economy, Professor Bokpin said recent growth had relied heavily on environmental destruction, particularly the degradation of water bodies and ecosystems through illegal mining. Such growth, he argued, should be “discounted” because it compromises long-term survival and development.
He described the scale of environmental damage as driven by greed, adding that the consequences posed an existential threat to the country. “We are heading dangerously,” he warned, questioning how many lives must be lost before decisive action is taken.
Professor Bokpin urged Ghana to pursue growth models that minimise environmental harm while preserving ecosystems, noting that mining can be undertaken responsibly, as demonstrated in other countries. He concluded that failure to protect the environment amounted to a failure of governance and leadership, calling for a fundamental reset.
“Ghana deserves better,” he said.