General News
Internalize dev’t; if 16 visits to IMF haven’t helped, why should we expect the 17th to do so? – IEA’s Kwakye
Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr John Kwakye has asked the government to look within to develop the country.
He is not in favour of going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support to deal with the challenges facing the economy.
In a tweet, Dr Kwakye said “If 16 visits to the IMF haven’t helped us, why should we expect the 17th to do so? #LetsInternaliseOurDevelopment.”
He added “Ghana’s economic recovery depends on mobilising adequate domestic resources to support transformative policies.”
Ghana is seeking a programme under the Fund.
The Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva stated that a deal between Ghana and the IMF should be reached and finalized before the end of the year.
In a closed-door meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, September 5, on the sidelines of the Africa Adaptation Summit, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, she told him “we understand the urgency, and we will move as quickly as possible”.
Describing Ghana as a “superb country”, she reiterated the determination of the Fund to work with Government and the Ministry of Finance, and ensure that an agreement is in place before the end of the year.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo indicated to the IMF boss that a lot of work has been done by Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance, and the document to be presented by the Ghana side “is ready for the scrutiny of the IMF”.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Fund’s engagements with the Ghanaian delegation, Kristalina Georgieva stated that contrary to the narrative that Ghana is not in these challenges because of any bad policies of the Akufo-Addo administration, the IMF boss stated that the factors are exogenous.
“We have started very constructive discussions already and to the people of Ghana, like everybody on this planet, you have been hurt by exogenous shocks,” she said.
She mentioned the extraneous factors which have contributed to Ghana’s economic woes, leading to the West African country seeking a programme from the IMF.
She also indicated that Ghana is a member of the IMF, “a strong country with fantastic people”, and as such it is incumbent on the Fund to lend the country support.
Kristalina Georgieva also indicated “we have to support Ghana because your strength contributes to the strength of your neighbours; it contributes to a stronger world”.
Ghana is before the IMF for $3 billion to help the country navigate through the hostile economic crisis it finds itself in as a result of the adverse effects of the deadly coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
KASTLE90.3FM – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
Follow us on Twitter: @kastle903fm
#kastlef90.3fm, Cape Coast
#…Blending tradition with style
Source: 3news.com
