PROFILE – PROFESSOR NEWMAN KWADWO KUSI
Professor Newman Kwadwo Kusi, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, holds a PhD in Economics from the University of New England, Australia. An expert in Public Sector Economics, Prof Kusi has worked for the past 26 years in a number of countries. He has extensive knowledge, experience and skills in public budget management, policy analysis, asset management, project financing and management, supply chain management (procurement) and strategic planning.
Background
Prof. Kusi is a native of Mpraeso in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He was born on 22 July 1952. He had his secondary education at Konongo Odumasi Secondary School in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He attended the University of Ghana where he obtained his BA (Honours) in Economics in 1977 and M.Sc in Economics in 1980. He also attended the University of New England, Australia where he obtained his PhD in Economics in 1992.
Career
Prof Kusi has worked in a number of countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea and South Africa (where he has worked for the past 16 years). He began his working career in Ghana with the University of Ghana, Legon where he lectured in Economics and then as an Assistant Manager in the Social Security Bank.
Until his appointment as the Acting Chief Director/Advisor this year, Prof Kusi was the Superintendent General (Director General) and Head of Department of the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury, South Africa. He has held various positions in South Africa, including the CEO of the Kwazulu Natal Gambling Board; Deputy Director General, Kwazulu Natal Treasury, and Deputy Director General and Head of Kwazulu Department of Housing.
Prof Kusi has also lectured in Economics in the University of Natal, South Africa where he started as a Senior Lecturer and then went on to become an Associate Professor of Economics. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Economics in the University of Fort Hare, South Africa. He was one time a Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Port Harcourt.
Prof Kusi has managed and coordinated numerous programmes and projects in South Africa and consulted extensively for organizations such as the South Africa Financial and Fiscal Commission, Africa Economic Research Consortium (AERC), and the UK Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS). He also served on several Boards, Commissions and Committees in South Africa.
Other Activities
• Visiting scholar to the International Monetary Fund in 1997
• Visiting scholar to the World Bank (2001)
• Expert Subject Advisor on Public Finance for the African Economic Research Consortium’s Collaborative in Economics (1994 -1998)
Research Experience
Prof Kusi has written and published over 80 research and technical papers. Click here for details.
Membership of Professional Bodies
Prof Kusi is a member of the following professional bodies;
• South Africa Institute of Public Finance and Auditing (Chairman of the Council of the Institute in 2002).
• Research Network of African Economic Research Consortium
• South Africa Network for Economic Research
• Economic Society of South Africa
• Peace Studies Association of Africa and the Pacific
