A staff review team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Saturday that the second review of Ghana’s reform program would unlock 360 million U.S. dollars for the West African country.
In a statement, the IMF said Ghana’s performance under the program has been generally strong, with most quantitative targets met and key reforms implemented.
This positive outcome of the review, the statement said, would pave the way for the West African country to draw the scheduled 360 million dollars as the third tranche of disbursement under a 36-month Extended Credit Facility from the IMF.
“Good progress has also been made on key structural reform milestones. The authorities’ policies and reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, while laying the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth, are already generating positive results,” the IMF said.
At a joint press briefing with the IMF staff review team and the Bank of Ghana in the Ghanaian capital of Accra on Saturday, Ghanaian Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam said he was optimistic that Ghana would secure a deal with all of its creditors in good time to ensure the success of the reforms.
Bank of Ghana Governor Ernest Addison pledged Ghana’s resolve to continue to adhere to the terms of the IMF program to achieve the overall targets set in the deal.
“Inflation has dropped from 54 percent in December 2022 to 25.8 percent in March 2024, and at the central bank, we see inflation settling around 15 percent by the end of 2024 despite a recent slowdown in disinflation,” Addison added.
Ghana has been leveraging a 3-billion-dollar IMF loan since last May to steer its economy out of turmoil, characterized by soaring inflation, swelling public debt, exchange rate volatility, and a high cost of living.
XINHUA