Ghana’s first public policy think-tank, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has been awarded ‘The High Commissioner’s Special Recognition for Best Think-Tank in Ghana’.

The award was presented at the prestigious maiden UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Ceremony in Accra on Saturday, 2nd December 2017.

H.E Iain Walker, the British High Commissioner to Ghana presented the award which was received by Mrs Jean Mensa, Executive Director of the IEA. This award recognised the IEA for being a think tank that has made important contributions to improving the landscape for enterprise and entrepreneurship in the region.

Among the winners were multinational companies like Unilever, Vodafone, and Barclays.

The UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) engaged the services of Nielsen Corporation - a credible global marketing research firm to assist in ascertaining the businesses and organisations best deserving of their corresponding awards.

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 free 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 the 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 issues and highlights concrete recommendations for reform.