This study investigates the evolution of monetary policy in Ghana and explores the potential of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), specifically the e-Cedi, as a tool to enhance financial inclusion and modernize the country’s financial system. Ghana’s monetary policy framework has undergone significant transformations since the establishment of the Bank of Ghana in 1957, with notable achievements in stabilizing the economy and managing inflation. However, large segments of the population, particularly in rural areas, remain unbanked or underbanked, highlighting the limitations of traditional monetary tools. The introduction of the e-Cedi presents an opportunity to bridge these gaps by providing secure, efficient, and accessible financial services to underserved communities. The study employs a qualitative research design, integrating historical analysis, case studies, and thematic analysis to assess the potential benefits and challenges of CBDCs in Ghana. Key findings indicate that while the e-Cedi could significantly enhance financial inclusion, challenges related to technological infrastructure, cybersecurity, and public trust must be addressed. The study concludes that a balanced approach, which prioritizes digital infrastructure development, strong cybersecurity measures, and collaboration with financial institutions, is essential for maximizing the potential of CBDCs in Ghana. Recommendations for future research include a deeper exploration of the impact of CBDCs on financial stability and further analysis of rural adoption barriers.
As a key factor in the macroeconomic process, the interaction between public confidence and the commodity market, especially its impact on commodity facilitation returns and macroeconomic linkages, is worth exploring in depth. This study adopts the TVP-SV-VAR model to analyze the causal linkages, dynamic characteristics, and mechanisms of the interaction, and reveals the following core findings: (1) The economic background and information shocks contribute to the variations in the effects and orientations of the economic variables, which highlight the time-varying nature of the economic interactions. (2) Consumer and investor confidence exert heterogeneous influence on the macroeconomy, and their different responses to the negative effect of interest rates and convenience gains are particularly significant in the post-crisis recovery period. (3) In the short-term perspective, the influence of public confidence on monetary policy and inflation exceeds that in the medium and long term, highlighting the immediate sensitivity of individual economic behavior. (4) Since 2015, accommodative monetary policy has accelerated market capital flows, delaying the interaction between confidence indices and inflation, revealing policy time lag effects. (5) Convenience gains exhibit complex time-varying interactions with key economic parameters (interest rates, commodity prices, and inflation), with 2011 and 2014 displaying particular patterns, mapping differences between short- and long-term mechanisms, respectively. The study highlights the central role of consumer and investor confidence in the precise tailoring of macroeconomic policies, providing a scientific basis for policy forecasting and economic regulation, and contributing to economic stability. Meanwhile, the dynamic evolution of consumer confidence deepens market trend foresight, enhances the precision of market participants’ decision-making, and reinforces the resilience and predictability of economic operations.
The study examines the factors shaping inflation in 2022–2023 and explores why inflation in the Hungarian economy has increased more sharply than in neighboring countries with similar structures. The research hypothesis suggests that the inflationary surge, which is notable both globally and within the European Union, is not solely due to market economy mechanisms, but also to specific circumstances in Hungary, including the state’s radical interventions aimed at curbing inflation. The study seeks to highlight these effects and provide recommendations for economic policymakers to develop a more resilient inflation policy. Additionally, it focuses on analyzing inflation in the agricultural sector. The results indicate that, alongside global inflationary pressures, several country-specific factors have driven up the inflation rate in Hungary. Energy prices have risen sharply, and some supply chains from the East have been disrupted. The country under study is less productive, and the impact of the energy price shock on the energy-intensive food industry is higher than in surrounding countries. Consequently, the exchange rate volatility in 2022–2023, combined with short- and medium-term factors, has had a significant impact on food inflation, causing substantial deviations from long-term equilibrium. The research concludes that, in addition to increasing food self-sufficiency, special attention should be given to the domestic development of the agricultural supply chain.
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