Nyansa Institute calls for structural reforms, action-driven policies

By Christabel DANSO ABEAM

A newly launched think tank, Nyansa Institute, has called for urgent structural reforms in Ghana’s economy, education and governance systems, warning that the country risks falling behind if it continues to rely on outdated systems and excessive rhetoric without implementation.

Speaking at the institute’s inaugural dialogue session in Accra, the founder of the Institute, Samuel Koranteng Adjei said Ghana’s current development challenges require practical, youth-driven solutions rather than endless discussions.

“We in Ghana tend to think everything is okay, but things are not as they seem. Things are not normal,” he said, and stressed that national security should not only be viewed from the perspective of policing and crime but also in terms of energy security, education and economic resilience.

According to him, Ghana’s growing dependence on technology and electronic devices has heightened the need for reliable energy systems, questioning whether the country is producing enough power to meet future consumption demands.

“Your phones, wristwatches, fridges – everything is consuming energy. Are we producing enough energy to meet our consumption goals? Are we secure? I don’t think so,” he stated.

Mr. Adjei also criticised Ghana’s education system, arguing that the country has spent decades repeating the same curriculum while producing graduates whose skills are increasingly disconnected from current economic realities and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He noted the for the last 40 years, the country seem to have run the same curriculum over and over again –— while producing academic degrees that, in his opinion, are no longer properly aligned with the country’s need.

He noted that Ghana must begin to rethink how it structures its economy and prepares its workforce for emerging technological and industrial shifts.

The institute said its primary focus will be to develop practical policy solutions through research, data mining and stakeholder engagement rather than becoming another platform for public commentary without impact.

“We want to do hardcore research, present the facts, write policy papers and try to influence policymaking,” he explained.

Nyansa Institute also plans to leverage technology and digital platforms to amplify evidence-based discussions while building networks among professionals from different sectors to create collaborative solutions.

The Institute maintains that policies must reflect the realities of ordinary citizens and not merely remain technical recommendations disconnected from people’s daily struggles.

Addressing concerns about implementation failures that often undermine policy discussions in Ghana, the speaker acknowledged that many recommendations from think tanks and civil society groups rarely translate into action.

However, he argued that change would only occur if citizens begin demanding policies that directly address their needs instead of relying solely on political manifestos.

“It is about time we go down to the people and have policies they subscribe to, instead of just subscribing to manifestos,” he noted.

The discussion further highlighted Ghana’s infrastructure and economic challenges, particularly the country’s heavy dependence on road transport between Accra and Kumasi despite decades of development efforts.

The founder further questioned why Ghana has still not developed an efficient rail system to transport goods and reduce pressure on roads.

“Almost everybody goes by road between Accra and Kumasi. Can’t we have a rail system to move goods and lessen the pressure on the roads?” he asked.

He further argued that Ghana’s economic vulnerabilities stem from a colonial economic structure that continues to rely heavily on imports and foreign exchange.

Even local agricultural production, he noted, remains tied to imported fuel and transportation costs, exposing the economy to external shocks and currency instability.

“So, until we fundamentally change the structure of our economy, we will continue to struggle,” he said.

The institute believes Ghana possesses the intellectual capacity needed to transform its fortunes but insists that stronger systems, implementation and innovation-driven leadership are needed to drive sustainable national development.

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