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Ghana passes fifth review of IMF programme
Ghana has reached a significant milestone in its economic recovery efforts with the successful conclusion of a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the Fifth Review Mission under the US$3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson confirmed that the Government has achieved all six Quantitative Performance Criteria and four Indicative Targets for the review period. He described the agreement as a powerful validation of the disciplined and comprehensive strategy pursued over the past nine months.
The Minister noted that Ghana is beginning to see strong outcomes from President Mahama’s Reset Agenda.
Economic growth has accelerated, with non-oil sectors, where most jobs are created, showing impressive expansion.
Inflation has fallen sharply, returning to single-digit levels, while interest rates have declined significantly.
The Ghana cedi has demonstrated notable strength and stability, and fiscal consolidation efforts are yielding results, reflected in a budget surplus and a substantial reduction in public debt.
He also announced significant progress in bilateral debt restructuring efforts, with the government committed to finalising all outstanding agreements before the end of the ECF programme.
The IMF Executive Board is expected to consider Ghana’s Fifth Review by the end of December 2025. Once approved, it will unlock a disbursement of US$385 million, bringing total disbursements under the programme to US$2.6 billion.
Finally, on behalf of the President, Dr. Forson extended gratitude to the people of Ghana for their patience and resilience and thanked the IMF mission team for their constructive engagement and tireless work.
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
