Structural transformation and inclusive growth in Africa - an interview with Robert Osei
Channel: UNU-WIDER
Date: 23/03/2015

Robert Darko Osei, Researcher at ISSER, University of Ghana, explains structural transformation in the context of African economies and the effects of these changes.
He says that governments should only consider growth substantial and sustainable when it positively impacts employment. Manufacturing offers the best avenue to create youth employment and this is what he believes governments should focus on. He also holds the view that human capital at the tertiary level is the most significant investment that can be made with the profits of the current commodity boom.
Interestingly, Mr. Osei considers himself to be a bit of a pessimist regarding growth in Africa even though he admits that significant progress has been made. This is because he believes that a lot of work still needs to be done in terms of the structure of the growth being observed which is primarily driven by resource sectors.
Finally, he describes the importance of the UNU-WIDER network to him and to researchers in general.
 
Questions: 

0:07 What does ’structural transformation’ mean?
2:18 Your advice to a government in terms of inclusive growth?
4:27 Are you optimistic about growth in Africa in general?
5:29 What would you invest the profits of the commodity boom on?
6:17 Why do you think UNU-WIDER is an important forum for researchers?

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