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Economic transformation in Ghana: Where will the path lead?

Author

Listed:
  • Kolavalli, Shashi
  • Robinson, Elizabeth J. Z.
  • Diao, Xinshen
  • Alpuerto, Vida
  • Folledo, Renato
  • Slavova, Mira
  • Ngeleza, Guyslain K.
  • Asante, Felix Ankomah

Abstract

In the context of the Ghanaian government’s objective of structural transformation with an emphasis on manufacturing, this paper provides a case study of economic transformation in Ghana, exploring patterns of growth, sectoral transformation, and agglomeration. We document and examine why, despite impressive growth and poverty reduction figures, Ghana’s economy has exhibited less transformation than might be expected for a country that has recently achieved middle-income status. Ghana’s reduced share of agriculture in the economy, unlike many successfully transformed countries in Asia and Latin America, has been filled by services, while manufacturing has stagnated and even declined. Likely causes include weak transformation of the agricultural sector and therefore little development of agroprocessing, the emergence of consumption cities and consumption-driven growth, upward pressure on the exchange rate, weak production linkages, and a poor environment for private-sector-led manufacturing.

Suggested Citation

  • Kolavalli, Shashi & Robinson, Elizabeth J. Z. & Diao, Xinshen & Alpuerto, Vida & Folledo, Renato & Slavova, Mira & Ngeleza, Guyslain K. & Asante, Felix Ankomah, 2012. "Economic transformation in Ghana: Where will the path lead?," IFPRI discussion papers 1161, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1161
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Clemens Breisinger & Xinshen Diao & Rainer Schweickert & Manfred Wiebelt, 2010. "Managing Future Oil Revenues in Ghana: An Assessment of Alternative Allocation Options," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 22(2), pages 303-315.
    2. Gustavo Anríquez & Silvio Daidone, 2010. "Linkages between the farm and nonfarm sectors at the household level in rural Ghana: a consistent stochastic distance function approach," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 41(1), pages 51-66, January.
    3. Fabian Barthel & Matthias Busse & Robert Osei, 2011. "The Characteristics and Determinants of FDI in Ghana," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 23(3), pages 389-408, July.
    4. Breisinger, Clemens & Diao, Xinshen & Kolavalli, Shashidhara & Al Hassan, Ramatu & Thurlow, James, 2011. "A new era of transformation in Ghana: Lessons from the past and scenarios for the future," Research reports 978-0-89629-788-3, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Diao, Xinshen & Cossar, Frances & Houssou, Nazaire & Kolavalli, Shashidhara & Jimah, Kipo & Aboagye, Patrick, 2012. "Mechanization in Ghana: Searching for sustainable service supply models:," IFPRI discussion papers 1237, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. M. Ali Nasrun & Fariastuti & Sukma Indra, 2020. "The Role of Agricultural Sector in Explaining Poverty in Indonesia: A Study Case of West Kalimantan," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 10(5), pages 297-303.
    3. De Pinto, Alessandro & Demirag, Ulaç & Haruna, Akiko & Koo, Jawoo & Asamoah, Marian, 2012. "Climate change, agriculture, and foodcrop production in Ghana," GSSP policy notes 3, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. Albert Danso & Samuel Adomako & Joseph Amankwah‐Amoah & Samuel Owusu‐Agyei & Renata Konadu, 2019. "Environmental sustainability orientation, competitive strategy and financial performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 885-895, July.
    5. Diao, Xinshen & Cossar, Frances & Houssou, Nazaire & Kolavalli, Shashidhara, 2014. "Mechanization in Ghana: Emerging demand, and the search for alternative supply models," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 168-181.
    6. Chapoto, Antony & Mabiso, Athur & Bonsu, Adwinmea, 2013. "Agricultural commercialization, land expansion, and homegrown land-scale farmers: Insights from Ghana:," IFPRI discussion papers 1286, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    7. Houssou, Nazaire & Kolavalli, Shashidhara & Silver, Jed, 2016. "Agricultural intensification, technology adoption, and institutions in Ghana," GSSP policy notes 10, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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    Keywords

    economic growth; Economic transformation; agricultural sector; Private sector;

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