Ghana’s first public policy think-tank, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has been awarded ‘The Best Policy Think-Tank in Ghana’ at the prestigious maiden UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Ceremony in Accra on Saturday, 2nd December 2017.

The award was presented by the British High Commissioner H.E Iain Walker and received by Mrs Jean Mensa, the Executive Director of the IEA.

Founded in 1989, the IEA is recognised for its significant contribution to shaping and influencing public policy in Ghana and the sub-region using evidence-based research and advocacy.

The IEA’s main objective is to broaden the debate on public policy, engender private sector-led economic growth and strengthen the pillars of democracy with its ultimate mission being to promote good governance, democracy and a fair market economy in Ghana, and Africa as a whole.

The Institute believes that the creation of an environment in which economic, social and political and legal institutions function openly and freely is the key to attainment of sustainable economic growth and human development.

The IEA‘s evidence-based research, backed by persistent advocacy, has resulted in several key reforms that have helped consolidate Ghana’s democracy and promoted sustainable economic development.

These reforms include:

• The Serious Fraud Office Act, 1993 (Act 466)

• Repeal of the Criminal Libel and Sedition Laws, 2001

• The Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720)

• The Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845)

With the advent of oil and gas in Ghana, the IEA has undertaken significant research and advocacy so as to promote good governance in the sector through transparent, accountable and efficient management of revenues.

Research in this area concentrated on developing and applying an index for tracking transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector. This index, The Petroleum Transparency and Accountability (P-TRAC) Index, has been applied to Ghana.

The IEA continues to conduct evidence-based research on wide ranging policy issues and propose policy recommendations to reform public policy.