The Index of Economic Freedom is an annual analysis of the economic climate of countries throughout the world that is published by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal.  

Launched in 1995, the index evaluates countries in four broad policy areas that affect economic freedom: rule of law; size of government; regulatory efficiency; and open markets.

A release issued in Accra, said the index scores countries in 10 categories: property rights, freedom from corruption, fiscal freedom, government spending, business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom, trade freedom, investment freedom, and financial freedom.  

Based on their scores, each of the 178 countries that are evaluated are ranked according to their levels of economic freedom.

The release said named Mr James M. Roberts, who is a Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation as the main speaker.  An expert in economic freedom and growth, he edits the Rule of Law and Monetary Freedom sections of Index.   Mr Roberts also studies economic and political issues in Latin America, Europe, and in developing countries worldwide.  In addition, he contributes to policy debates on issues ranging from development assistance and nation-building to corporate social responsibility and global economic governance.”  

The release said “Before joining Heritage in 2007, Roberts served in the U.S. State Department for 25 years as an Economic Officer in the Foreign Service.  Roberts has an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and earned an MA in International and Development Economics from Yale.”