Accra: Ghana has made notable progress in the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), climbing to the 61st position out of 69 countries surveyed. This marks a substantial improvement from its previous ranking of 65th in the 2024 study, as reported by officials at the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI), a research, training, and consultancy agency under the Ministry of Jobs, Labour and Employment.
According to Ghana News Agency, the IMD report evaluates governmental policies that promote long-term competitiveness, focusing on infrastructure, economic performance, government efficiency, and business efficiency. It serves as a tool for countries to identify strengths and weaknesses and to implement policy measures for improvement.
In terms of economic performance, Ghana ranked 66th, while its infrastructure and business efficiency were rated 49th and 67th, respectively. Government efficiency saw a slight improvement, also ranking at 49th compared to the previous year. Regionally, Ghana placed third among the six African countries participating in the 2025 ranking, with Kenya leading and Botswana following.
Globally, Switzerland secured the top position, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, and Denmark. Qatar made it into the top 10, with Canada, Germany, and Luxembourg among the top 20.
The report highlighted Ghana's strengths, including real GDP growth per capita, public finances, cost of capital, and energy infrastructure. However, challenges such as low public expenditure on education, employment issues, population growth, and limited medical assistance were noted.
Ghana's attractiveness indicators, based on the IMD ranking's executive opinion survey, included a skilled workforce (60.7%), a business-friendly environment (53.6%), a high educational level (48.2%), and economic dynamism (46.4%). Other positive indicators were effective labor relations (35.7%), open attitudes (32.1%), and policy stability (32.1%), as per the report.
The 2025 report also pointed out challenges such as declining living standards due to weak economic growth, limited government spending, and high inflation. Furthermore, the digitalization of basic services faces obstacles due to inclusion deficits, limited internet services, and high costs of devices and data.
Local partners, including the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI), Ghana Employers Association (GEA), and others, contributed statistical data and participated in the executive opinion survey. Officials indicated that the data would be used for upcoming IMD World Talent and Digital rankings.
The announcement of the WCY and ranking report took place at the MDPI premises in Accra, with representatives from various local and international organizations in attendance. Dr. Stephen Asirifi Essel, a Chief Consultant at MDPI, emphasized the importance of the findings for informing policy measures to bolster the economy.
The International Institute for Management Development called on policymakers and business leaders to view government efficiency as essential for sustaining economic resilience and investment appeal. The report stressed that countries with strong institutional frameworks and inclusive outcomes are better equipped to handle external shocks, while those neglecting institutional reform risk deepening social divisions and competitiveness erosion.
The International Institute for Management Development is an independent academic institute with strong ties to business, offering executive education and advisory work to assist leaders and policymakers in navigating complexity and change.
