Sdralevich
A team of experts dispatched by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to assess the economic situation in Ghana has concluded that the COVID 19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have indeed affected Ghana.
The team, led by Carlo Sdralevich visited Accra during July 6-13, 2022, to assess the current economic situation and among others discussed the broad lines of the government’s Enhanced Domestic Programme that could be supported by an IMF lending arrangement.
A statement posted on its website said “the IMF team met with H.E. Vice President Bawumia, Finance Minister Ofori-Atta, and Governor Addison of the Bank of Ghana. The team also met with the Parliament’s Finance Committee, civil society organizations, and development partners, including UNICEF and the World Bank to engage on social spending.”
“After the mission, Mr. Sdralevich issued the following statement:
“Ghana is facing a challenging economic and social situation amid an increasingly difficult global environment. The fiscal and debt situation has severely worsened following the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, investors’ concerns have triggered credit rating downgrades, capital outflows, loss of external market access, and rising domestic borrowing costs.
“In addition, the global economic shock caused by the war in Ukraine is hitting Ghana at a time when the country is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic shock and with limited room for maneuver.”
They, therefore, noted that “these adverse developments have contributed to slowing economic growth, accumulation of unpaid bills, a large exchange rate depreciation, and a surge in inflation.”
The IMF team held initial discussions on a comprehensive reform package to restore macroeconomic stability and anchor debt sustainability.
The team made progress in assessing the economic situation and identifying policy priorities in the near term.
The discussions focused on sustainably improving fiscal balances while protecting the vulnerable and poor; ensuring the credibility of the monetary policy and exchange rate regimes; preserving financial sector stability, and designing reforms to enhance growth, create jobs, and strengthen governance.
Meanwhile, the IMF staff has decided to continue to monitor the economic and social situation closely and engage in the coming weeks with the authorities on the formulation of their Enhanced Domestic Programme that could be supported by an IMF arrangement and with broad stakeholders’ consultation
“We reaffirm our commitment to support Ghana at this difficult time, consistent with the IMF’s policies”, it said.
The IMF team expressed their gratitude to the authorities, civil society, and development partners for their constructive engagement and support during the mission.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu