Current Occupant - BoG - Chair

Professor Imhotep Alagidede; Distinguished African Economist and Researcher

Professor Imhotep Paul Alagidede is a visionary metaeconomist and distinguished academic leader, holding professorships at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Ghana, where he serves as the Bank of Ghana Chair in Finance and Economics. With over two decades of experience, he has advanced applied economics through innovative modeling and forecasting approaches that thoughtfully blend traditional indigenous knowledge with contemporary economic theory.

A pioneering entrepreneur in academic publishing, Professor Alagidede has founded six influential open-access journals that amplify African scholarship and democratize knowledge dissemination. His leadership in these journals, alongside his role as Emeritus Editor-in-Chief of the African Review of Economics and Finance, reflects his commitment to rigorous, pluralistic research centered on African contexts and the advancement of open science principles. Under his imprint, Porthologos Press, he champions innovative publishing standards that eliminate barriers to access, ensuring research remains a public good.

Beyond publishing, Professor Alagidede leads AREF Consult, providing policy advisory and capacity-building services across Africa. His expertise has informed economic reforms and policy development in countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, while he continues to mentor postgraduate students and collaborate globally. His work seamlessly blends indigenous knowledge systems with advanced economic modeling, reinforcing Africa’s voice in global academic and policy discourses.

Professor Alagidede’s multifaceted career embodies a synthesis of rigorous scholarship, entrepreneurial innovation, and continental engagement, positioning him as a transformative figure in reshaping how African economics and knowledge systems are developed, communicated, and applied.

Academic Background

• Current Position: Professor of Finance & Economics at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
• Doctorate: PhD in Finance & Economics, Loughborough University (UK) 

Vision and Contributions

• Seeks to integrate finance and economics to drive Ghana’s development agenda, famously noting that “bridging the gap between economics and finance to make each speak to each other for development” is central to achieving high‑impact outcomes.
• His priorities include:
  • Fostering policy dialogues and industry‑academia collaboration.
  • Researching inflation regulation and consequent financial policymaking.
  • Building capacity by mentoring advanced students equipped to support the Banking sector.
• Founder of the Ghanaian Journal of Economics, and plans are underway to launch the Ghanaian Journal of Business.