Thursday, Oct 16, 2025 | 09:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Location: Cedar Hall HQ1-1-660
This event will be live streamed on this page. Refresh page at start of event to load video player.
OVERVIEW
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana will reflect on Ghana’s recent macroeconomic journey—marked by external shocks, fiscal vulnerabilities, and a challenging global environment. He will outline the structure of Ghana’s economy, and the outsized role external factors have played in shaping macroeconomic outcomes. The conversation will then turn to the critical importance of fiscal reforms and the lessons drawn from Ghana’s post-2019 experience, including the consequences of overreliance on international capital markets and the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) on economic activity and confidence. The Governor will trace how these dynamics culminated in a loss of market access, rising inflation, and dwindling reserves—ultimately leading to a new IMF-supported program in May 2023. Looking ahead, he will highlight the institutional and policy reforms now underway to restore macroeconomic stability, rebuild confidence, and lay the foundation for a private sector-led recovery. This session offers a timely and candid look at how Ghana is staying the course to anchor inflation, lower interest rates, and foster inclusive, resilient growth.
SPEAKER
Johnson Pandit Asiama
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Ghana
Dr. Johnson P. Asiama has been Governor of the Bank of Ghana since February 2025. He also serves on Ghana’s Economic Management Team and chairs the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee. Under his leadership, Ghana has moved from crisis to recovery and stability, with restored market confidence, a stronger cedi, anchored inflation expectations, and a more resilient financial system.
Before becoming Governor, Dr. Asiama was Director of Macroeconomic Management at WAIFEM, where he led regional policy programmes for central banks and finance ministries across ECOWAS. He earlier served as Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana from 2016, playing a pivotal role in monetary operations, banking reforms, and financial inclusion.
With more than 25 years in central banking and economic management, he has shaped key financial laws, including the Banks and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions Act and the Deposit Protection Act.
Dr. Asiama holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Southampton, UK, and an MPhil in Economics from the University of Ghana, Legon. His expertise spans monetary policy, financial stability, and risk management.
MODERATOR
Abebe Aemro Selassie
Director of the African Department
Abebe Aemro Selassie is the Director of the African Department, where he oversees the IMF’s operations and engagement with 45 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
Under his leadership the IMF has disbursed some $51 billion to support the post pandemic recovery and foster greener more inclusive growth. Working tirelessly alongside the region’s leaders Mr. Selassie strives to strengthen the region’s financial architecture and support Africa reaching its true potential.
Before taking up his current position in 2016, Mr. Selassie gained extensive experience in a wide-ranging career at the IMF. He held various senior positions, including Deputy Director in the African Department, Mission Chief for Portugal during the Euro Area Crisis and South Africa. He has served as the IMF’s Senior Resident Representative in Uganda and earlier in his career, he worked on the Fund’s lending programs with Turkey, Thailand, Romania and Estonia. While in the Strategy, Policy and Review Department he was deeply involved in low-income country and emerging-market programs and policy design issues.
Before joining the IMF in 1994, he worked for the Government of Ethiopia as Principal Economist in the Office of the President and at the Economist Intelligence Unit in London
