Tag: IMANI Africa
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Bright Simons Argues Systemic Reforms Needed Beyond GoldBod to Tackle Smuggling
Introduction: A call for broader reform beyond GoldBod Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has stirred the debate on Ghana’s gold smuggling by arguing that the problem cannot be solved by the Gold Board (GoldBod) alone. He contends that the root causes lie in systemic inefficiencies across the gold value chain, including regulatory gaps,…
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Gold Smuggling in Ghana: Bright Simons Says GoldBod Alone Won’t Solve It
Introduction: A Call for Systemic Reform Gold smuggling remains a persistent challenge for Ghana, undermining revenue collection and tarnishing the country’s reputation for responsible resource management. Bright Simons, vice president of IMANI Africa, recently argued that the problem cannot be solved by GoldBod (the Ghana Gold Board) alone. He contends that the root causes lie…
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Gold smuggling won’t be solved by GoldBod — Bright Simons
Introduction: A pointed critique from an influential think tank Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has challenged the prevailing belief that establishing or strengthening a single institution could curb Ghana’s pervasive gold smuggling. In his view, the problem runs deeper than bureaucratic gaps or the absence of a new regulator. It lies in systemic…
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Gold for Reserves Sparks Debate: Distorted Competition, Says Bright Simons
Context: What Gold for Reserves Aims to Do The Gold for Reserves initiative has been pitched as a strategic move to diversify currency reserves and strengthen macroeconomic stability. Proponents say it could improve resilience by broadening the assets central banks hold, while supporters emphasize long-term benefits for national savings. Yet as the policy rolls out,…
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Gold for Reserves: Bright Simons Warns of Distorted Competition Favoring Bawa Rock
Overview: A Vocal Warning from Bright Simons Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has voiced a sharp critique of the Gold for Reserves programme, arguing that its current structure distorts market competition and systematically advantages the so‑called Bawa Rock segment over private sector participants. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Simons highlighted perceived flaws in policy…
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IMANI Africa Urges Revisions to Gold for Reserves Program to level Playing Field
Overview: A Contested Gold for Reserves Policy Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has raised pointed concerns about the structure of a recent national initiative known as the Gold for Reserves program. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Simons argued that while the program aims to bolster national reserves, its current design risks distorting competition and…
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Policy institutions must be held to efficiency standards even as they pursue development goals
Rethinking accountability for policy institutions Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa, has urged policymakers to subject development-oriented institutions to robust efficiency checks. The core argument is simple: institutions tasked with driving national progress must demonstrate the value they promise, even when they operate under ambitious mandates. In practice, this means adopting clear performance metrics,…
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Raising the Bar: Why Policy Institutions Must Meet Efficiency Standards While Pursuing Development
Introduction: Balancing Mandate with Accountability Policy institutions are created to steer nations toward growth, stability, and inclusive development. Yet the very logic of governance demands something more than good intentions: demonstrable results. Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa, recently argued for stronger scrutiny of the cost and efficiency of government institutions. His message is…
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Raising the Bar: Why Policy Institutions Must Meet Efficiency Standards Even as Mandates Grow
Introduction: The imperative of accountability in policy institutions Policy institutions are often created with ambitious developmental mandates: to accelerate growth, improve public services, and guide national strategies. Yet as Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa, argues, the pursuit of national development must not blind policymakers to efficiency. Institutions tasked with steering development should be…
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Non-Interest Banking Rules Could Spark Ghana Regulatory Confusion
Overview: The Bank of Ghana’s Non-Interest Banking Guidelines Ghana’s central bank, the Bank of Ghana (BoG), is rounding out its framework for regulating what it calls “Non-Interest Banking.” The move aims to formalize Sharia-compliant financial services and other forms of interest-free banking that some customers prefer for religious or ethical reasons. While the intent is…