Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research — University of Ghana research body issuing policy guidance on Ghana's fiscal, economic, and development challenges, currently analyzing capital spending shortfalls and sanitation investment returns.
The former Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Professor Peter Quartey, has described the government’s expenditure cuts in the first half of 2026 as “excessive”, warning that the pursuit of macroeconomic stability must not undermine cri …
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has cautioned that Ghana risks undermining its long-term development goals if infrastructure spending continues to fall short of target due to tight expenditure controls. …
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has cautioned that Ghana’s improving fiscal performance may be coming at the expense of long-term economic growth, arguing that the government’s stabilisation efforts are being driven more by spending cuts than st …
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has raised concerns over the slow pace of activity under the government’s ‘Big Push’ infrastructure programme, noting that construction growth remains subdued despite the ambitious initiative. …
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) is urging the government to ensure Ghana’s strong macroeconomic performance translates into meaningful job creation and improved living standards for citizens. …
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) is urging the government to place greater emphasis on the efficient use of public resources, arguing that fiscal consolidation should be measured not only by expenditure reductions but also by how effectively publ …
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has cautioned that Ghana’s increasing reliance on gold as part of its international reserves could expose the country to financial risks if global gold prices continue to decline. …
… Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI made the call in Accra yesterday at the 8th Annual Administrators Conference of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants-Ghana (CIAMC), held at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the Univ …
… Dr Asante, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, made the observation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency following Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling. …
… He is also the immediate past Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) and former Executive Director of the ReFinD Research Initiative at ISSER. …
Former ISSER director Professor Peter Quartey has criticized the government's first-half 2026 expenditure cuts as excessive, cautioning that a 20.6 per cent reduction in public spending poses risks to essential public services and infrastructure. He argued that while fiscal discipline is necessary for macroeconomic stability, deviations of up to five per cent from planned expenditure are acceptable.
Former ISSER director Professor Peter Quartey has criticized the government's first-half 2026 expenditure cuts as excessive, cautioning that a 20.6 per cent reduction in public spending poses risks to essential public services and infrastructure. He argued that while fiscal discipline is necessary for macroeconomic stability, deviations of up to five per cent from planned expenditure are acceptable.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research warned that Ghana risks undermining long-term development goals if infrastructure spending continues to fall short due to tight expenditure controls. Capital expenditure was nearly 40 per cent below its programmed level in the first half of 2026, largely due to implementation delays in the government's "Big Push" infrastructure programme.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research cautions that Ghana's improved fiscal performance is being driven primarily by expenditure cuts rather than stronger revenue mobilisation, with capital expenditure showing the sharpest reduction and potentially undermining long-term economic growth.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has raised concerns that construction growth remained at only 1.3% in the first quarter of 2026 despite the government's 'Big Push' infrastructure programme, attributing weak performance to reduced capital expenditure and tight fiscal policy.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research has urged Ghana's government to ensure strong macroeconomic performance translates into meaningful job creation and improved living standards. ISSER's director said the country's next phase of economic policy should focus on creating jobs rather than simply improving macroeconomic indicators, with expansion in the services sector resulting in employment opportunities particularly for young people.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research argues that Ghana's fiscal consolidation should prioritise efficient use of public funds, not only expenditure reductions. The institute's director stressed that the government should complete existing projects before committing resources to new ones to maximise public investment benefits.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research cautioned that Ghana's increasing reliance on gold for international reserves exposes the country to financial risk if global gold prices decline, and warned that the current fiscal consolidation and monetary sterilization approach to containing inflation is costly for the central bank and unsustainable long-term.
The Paramount Chief of Assin Kushea called on administrators to uphold ethical standards to curb corruption and strengthen institutions, telling the 8th Annual Administrators Conference of CIAMC that integrity, accountability and professionalism are crucial to institutional success.
Ghana's Supreme Court ruled the delegate system used by political parties to elect presidential and parliamentary candidates unconstitutional, requiring all registered members in good standing to participate directly instead. A governance expert cautioned that while the decision may broaden participation, it is unlikely to reduce the influence of money in internal party elections.
Professor Peter Quartey has been appointed Provost of the College of Education at the University of Ghana, effective August 1, 2026, for a three-year term. He brings extensive academic and administrative experience, currently serving as Acting Director of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy since 2025.
Former ISSER director Professor Peter Quartey has urged the Finance Minister to use the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and accelerate investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing to create jobs, arguing that the next phase of economic management should focus on expanding productive sectors capable of generating employment and sustaining growth.
Former ISSER director Professor Peter Quartey has called on the Finance Minister to use the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to outline measures for improving domestic revenue mobilisation after weaker-than-expected tax collections in the first quarter. While acknowledging Ghana's recent macroeconomic stability in inflation, exchange rates and fiscal performance, Quartey cautioned that stabilisation alone is insufficient and the economy must move toward stronger revenue generation and addressing unemployment.
Stakeholders at Ghana's National Justice Conference called for sustainable financing of child protection systems, warning that inadequate funding could undermine efforts to combat child labour exploitation and trafficking. The conference, held in Accra, brought together government officials, lawmakers, civil society organisations, faith leaders, survivors and development partners to discuss strengthening long-term interventions for vulnerable children.
A new ISSER policy brief estimates that every cedi invested in improving Ghana's waste management and sanitation could generate GH¢556 in annual economic benefits if the country matches spending levels of lower-middle-income economies. Current spending delivers GH¢180 in returns per cedi invested; increasing investment from GH¢38.78 to GH¢1,028 per tonne of waste would reduce sanitation-related illness by 97.4 per cent and deaths by 81 per cent while boosting productivity and saving billions annually.
A University of Ghana study finds that Ghana loses more than GH¢6.2 billion yearly to poor waste management and sanitation through preventable diseases, healthcare costs, and lost productivity, while MMDAs spend only GH¢180.2 million on waste management and sanitation combined. The research attributes major economic losses to sanitation-related diseases including malaria, cholera and typhoid, which cause 31.9 million lost work and school days annually and approximately 107,222 premature deaths.
Recent floods in Greater Accra displaced families and destroyed businesses, with government officials citing blocked drainage systems, poor sanitation, and development along waterways as major contributors. The article argues that while climate change and intense rainfall play a role, many of Ghana's flood disasters are worsened by poor waste disposal, with plastic bags and refuse filling gutters designed for drainage.
Kenya's Government Spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura has called on African scholars and policymakers to ensure research conducted on the continent is grounded in African values and context, rather than relying heavily on external research models, to make it relevant for policymaking and development. He argued that research disconnected from African values often fails to address local development needs, and that African institutions must take ownership of data generation and analysis.
An ISSER economist argues that comprehensive overhaul of Ghana's waste management governance framework—including eliminating overlapping responsibilities and appointing a regulator—is essential to tackling Accra's perennial flooding problem alongside drainage infrastructure investments.
An analysis of why evidence from academic research often fails to influence real-world policymaking, noting that political priorities, fiscal constraints, and timing compete with research findings. Globally, estimates suggest as much as 80 percent of research does not directly translate into policy or practice, a challenge Ghana also reflects.
Participants at a World Bank-led seminar in Accra said Ghana must fundamentally rethink its trade strategy to unlock sustainable economic growth and create jobs. Ghana's Trade Minister reported a historic trade surplus of US$13.6 billion in 2025 and export receipts of US$31.11 billion, but noted the country has yet to fully harness trade benefits.