About

Dr. Stephen Amoah at a glance

• Full Name: Dr. Stephen Amoah
• Popular Name: Sticka
• Date of Birth: March 27, 1970
• Hometown: Kronom Afrancho, Ashanti Region
• Constituency: Nhyiaeso
• Political Party: New Patriotic Party (NPP)
• Current Role: Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso
• Parliamentary Position: Member, Minority Caucus
• Former Government Position: Deputy Minister for Finance
• Former Executive Position: CEO, Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC)
• Academic Background: Computer Science, Strategic Financial Management, Entrepreneurship, Actuarial Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Professional Interests: Finance, entrepreneurship, agriculture, research, economic policy and private-sector development

About Dr. Stephen Amoah

Dr. Stephen Amoah, popularly known as “Sticka”, is a Ghanaian politician, finance expert, academic and entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to public service, economic development, scientific research and the advancement of opportunities for young people.

He is the Member of Parliament for the Nhyiaeso Constituency in the Ashanti Region and a member of the Minority Caucus of Ghana’s Parliament. He previously served as Deputy Minister for Finance from April 2024, having been appointed to the position following the passing of the late John Kumah.

Before entering Parliament and government, Dr. Amoah built a career spanning academia, scientific research, finance, entrepreneurship and public administration. His experience across these fields continues to shape his approach to national issues and public policy.

From academia to public service

Dr. Amoah’s professional journey began in academia and scientific research. His academic background cuts across computer science, strategic financial management, entrepreneurship, actuarial science and agricultural science.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2004 and later earned a Master of Science in Strategic Financial Management from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom in 2007.

In 2019, he obtained a Post Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He subsequently earned a PhD in Actuarial Science from KNUST in 2021, with research focused on optimal pricing for risky assets in competitive markets, with emphasis on finance and macroeconomics.

His academic and research interests have also included plant breeding, genetics, food security and agricultural development. During his academic career at KNUST, he worked as a Senior Lecturer and researcher in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.

As a researcher, Dr. Amoah was involved in the development and release of more than 15 improved varieties of soybean, cowpea and groundnut. His work focused on improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food security and reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported food products.

He also served as National Coordinator for the Sustainable Intensification of Integrated Crop-Small Ruminant production system, coordinating research and development efforts involving agricultural production in West Africa.

For Dr. Amoah, scientific research is not simply an academic exercise. He believes research must translate into practical solutions to national challenges, particularly in areas such as food security, industrialisation and economic independence.

Building experience in finance and enterprise

Dr. Amoah’s transition from academia into executive leadership gave him practical experience in managing institutions, businesses and public resources.

He served as Deputy National Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Authority, where he gained experience in the administration and coordination of one of Ghana’s major social protection programmes.

He later served as Chief Financial Officer of Kencity Group of Companies, gaining extensive experience in corporate finance, strategic planning and business management.

In February 2017, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC). At MASLOC, he was involved in efforts to provide financial support to small businesses and entrepreneurs and to strengthen opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

His private-sector experience also includes serving as Chief Executive Officer of Zintex Portfolio Services Limited, the parent company of Zintex Finance & Investment Consult, Zintex Farms and Zintex Construction.

These experiences have contributed to his strong belief that Ghana’s private sector must play a central role in creating jobs, expanding production and reducing poverty.

Parliamentary journey

Dr. Stephen Amoah was elected Member of Parliament for the Nhyiaeso Constituency in the 2020 general elections, securing more than 81 percent of the votes in the constituency.

His parliamentary work has focused strongly on economic policy, financial management, entrepreneurship, private-sector development and national transformation.

He has served on Parliament’s Finance and Privileges Committees and has also held the position of Deputy Ranking Member on the Finance Committee.

In Parliament, Dr. Amoah has consistently called for greater attention to what he describes as fundamental economic anomalies that affect Ghana’s development.

His approach to public policy is strongly influenced by his academic and professional background in finance, actuarial science, entrepreneurship and economics.

A voice on economic policy

Dr. Amoah has been an active contributor to Ghana’s economic policy discussions.

He has questioned aspects of Ghana’s monetary policy framework, particularly the use of increases in interest rates to address inflation. He has argued that a significant part of Ghana’s inflationary pressures is driven by supply-side costs rather than excessive demand.

He believes that increasing interest rates in such circumstances can raise the cost of doing business, restrict investment and place additional pressure on households and businesses without adequately addressing the underlying causes of inflation.

He has also raised concerns about the pricing of government securities and the broader structure of Ghana’s financial markets. His academic work in actuarial science and financial economics has informed his interest in risk, asset pricing and the relationship between monetary policy and investment.

Dr. Amoah continues to advocate for economic policies that promote production, investment and private-sector growth.

Championing entrepreneurship and job creation

One of Dr. Amoah’s strongest areas of advocacy is entrepreneurship education.

He has repeatedly argued that Ghana must begin preparing young people to create jobs rather than depending entirely on the formal employment market.

He has cited data indicating that only a small proportion of Ghana’s annual graduates secure employment within their first year, with many young people spending several years searching for jobs.

His proposal is for entrepreneurship to become a core subject at the Junior High School level and an elective at the Senior High School level.

He believes that exposing young people to entrepreneurship early can help develop an entrepreneurial mindset and create a generation of innovators, business owners and job creators.

Dr. Amoah also supports reforms to Ghana’s SME financing ecosystem. He has raised concerns about the high cost of borrowing for businesses and has advocated more efficient approaches to state-supported financing institutions.

His broader vision is for a stronger private sector that can drive production, create employment and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic transformation.

His position on galamsey and environmental protection

Dr. Amoah has described illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a national crisis that requires a collective response beyond partisan politics.

He has argued that both major political parties must move away from using the issue as political capital and instead focus on confronting the environmental, economic and biological consequences of illegal mining.

He has also called for greater accountability among stakeholders involved in illegal mining, including those who facilitate access to mining lands and allow mining activities to take place in protected areas.

For him, tackling galamsey requires what he describes as a mindset revolution and a national commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

Research, agriculture and national development

Dr. Amoah believes Ghana’s economic transformation must be supported by strong scientific research.

His experience in agricultural research has shaped his interest in food security and import substitution.

He has advocated greater investment in research and development and has called for the implementation of provisions under Ghana’s National Research Act, 2020 (Act 1056), including the allocation of resources for research and development.

His interest in agriculture is closely connected to his wider economic philosophy. He believes Ghana must strengthen local production, develop value chains and reduce its dependence on imported products.

His work in crop science, particularly involving soybean, cowpea and groundnut varieties, reflects this long-standing interest in using science and innovation to address economic and food-security challenges.

A commitment to constructive politics

Dr. Amoah has consistently advocated a political culture based on constructive disagreement rather than personal attacks and partisan propaganda.

He believes political parties and Parliament must be able to disagree strongly while maintaining respect for institutions and individuals.

He has spoken against what he describes as “primitive politics” and has called for constructive conflicts that focus on ideas, policies and national development.

He has also defended political colleagues when he believes public criticism has crossed the line into unfair or unjustified attacks.

For Dr. Amoah, political competition should ultimately serve the interests of Ghana and its people.

Understanding the human side of public service

Beyond his public role as a politician, Dr. Amoah has spoken openly about the personal demands of political life.

He has acknowledged the loneliness and pressure that can accompany public service. Despite his public image as a vibrant, outspoken and sociable personality, he has spoken about experiencing significant personal isolation as a result of the demands of his work.

He has also highlighted the pressures placed on Members of Parliament by constituents and the public. MPs are often expected to personally respond to demands ranging from education and healthcare to roads and other community needs.

Dr. Amoah believes these pressures, combined with political, family and social responsibilities, can take a significant toll on the wellbeing of public officials.

His reflections have contributed to his broader call for a healthier and more constructive political environment.

Service to Nhyiaeso

As Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Amoah has remained focused on supporting education, youth development and opportunities within the constituency.

In April 2022, he donated computers, printers and more than 1,000 desks to schools in the constituency.

He has also supported sports development through the establishment of Kumasi FC, a football academy in Nhyiaeso equipped with a gymnasium and medical centre. The initiative is aimed at helping develop local sporting talent.

His constituency work reflects his belief that education, skills development, entrepreneurship and sports can provide young people with pathways to personal and socioeconomic independence.

A philosophy of independence

A central theme in Dr. Amoah’s personal philosophy is socioeconomic independence.

He believes individuals should develop the knowledge, skills and capacity to become economically independent and resilient.

His approach to public policy similarly places emphasis on creating systems that enable citizens to become productive rather than permanently dependent on government support.

This philosophy informs his advocacy for entrepreneurship, private-sector development, agricultural production, scientific research and stronger access to finance for small businesses.

Dr Stephen Amoah for Nhyiaeso

Dr. Stephen Amoah continues to serve the people of Nhyiaeso as a Member of Parliament and contributes to national debates as a member of the Minority Caucus.

His journey from scientific research and academia to business leadership, public administration, Parliament and national economic policy reflects a career built across multiple disciplines.

His public work continues to focus on economic reform, entrepreneurship, private-sector development, agriculture, research, education, environmental protection and constructive national politics.

For Dr. Amoah, Ghana’s future depends on a shift towards knowledge, production, enterprise and socioeconomic independence.

His continuing objective is to contribute to a Ghana where sound policy is informed by credible data, young people have the opportunity to create rather than simply seek jobs, local production is strengthened, and national development is pursued beyond partisan interests.