Features
Going to the IMF
• President Nana Akufo-Addo
When Ghana decided to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it generated a range of heated debate among scholars in Ghana and other sections of the public. While some people supported the idea, others did not, claiming that Ghana can manage its own economic programmes without going to the IMF.
In the case of members of the Minority, they hailed the decision as good, pointing out that the economy has been mismanaged. Obviously, this was meant to seek equalisation since in 2015, their government, that is the NDC, had to go to the IMF for poor economic performance.
After series of debates as to whether the country should go to the IMF for support, the government of Ghana has taken the decision that at this time in the global economic situation, the country needs to go for some assistance.
Going to the IMF is not a crime because Ghana is a member of the Fund and can always go for assistance there. However, sound economic management and pursuing the interest of the country is what matters.
The assistance from the IMF has become necessary because, according to the government, the COVID-19 together with unfavourable global economic condition has made it difficult for the country to stand on its own, looking at the serious challenges affecting Ghana just like many other countries in the world.
Global economic events are not favourable to the whole world and that is why as many as 100 countries have gone for IMF support.
It has been explained that support from IMF will help the country to get balance of payment to enable it perform better in the days ahead.
The IMF is an international body that has been set up to achieve balance of payment support for member countries who decide to go to the international body for assistance. It is a body that plays a useful role in the economic development of countries.
The government of Ghana under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has managed the economy well. A look at many of the ongoing projects in the country show that the economy will soon pickup to run shoulder-to-shoulder with other countries that are doing well as was seen in the pre-COVID-19 period. Every effort has been made to ensure that the economy performs better to improve upon the welfare of Ghanaians.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 which affected all parts of the world forced the government to spend heavily to save the lives of people. According to President Akufo-Addo, it would be better to protect the lives of people and prevent them from dying as a result of the effect of COVID-19. He pointed out that in the case of economies that are destroyed, it would be possible to revive them whereas in the case of human lives, they cannot be revived once lost.
In light of all these, we are of the view that the people of Ghana ought to be united behind the government, so that at the end of it all, a developmental agenda can be pursued for all Ghanaians irrespective of political affiliations.
We are very much aware that 100 countries have all applied to the IMF for one form of bailout or the other. In this connection, therefore, it is clear that the unfavourable global economic situation together with COVID-19 has adversely affected every country in the world.
In view of the unfavourable global economic situation, the IMF threw out invitation to countries that want assistance to come forward for various assistance.
From this perspective, it is appropriate for Ghana to take advantage and go to the IMF for assistance contrary to its previous position that it would not go for such assistance.
In fairness to government, it should be acknowledged that from 2017 up to the 1st quarter of 2020, the economy of Ghana was performing creditably well to the admiration of many other countries in the world.
Unfortunately, the sudden emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic ate substantially into the resources of the country and threw all projections out of gear. As if this was not enough, the high rise of crude oil worldwide, moving far above the $100 mark also added salt to injury and worsened the economic conditions of the country. As a member of the IMF therefore, Ghana has every right to seek assistance from this international body so that the economic situation can be made a bit bearable for the country.
What we should be concerned about is for government and the negotiation team to put forward the best cards for the country so that at the end of it all, the economic interest of the country would be maximised. We are urging the team negotiating with the IMF to prepare adequately and ensure that the best alternatives and options are what are given the country.
The economic situation all over the world in both developed and developing countries has become very unfavourable and harsh, making life extremely difficult for ordinary people. In this connection, we are urging all Ghanaians to remain calm behind government in the hope that what comes out from the negotiation with the IMF will be in the best interest of the country.
In conclusion therefore, the point must be noted that we need to put politics aside and in all fair mindedness agree that Ghana‘s economy has been managed well. In spite of the unfavourable economic global situation, the country recorded over 5% growth during the first quarter of 2022. Again, the World Bank has praised Ghana, saying that they are optimistic that the country will overcome its economic challenges.
All Ghanaians must therefore support the government in the hope that all is not lost and that very soon the economic indicators of the country would exhibit positive growth to overcome challenges like the inflation currently facing the country as a result of the Russian-Ukraine conflict and the effect of the COVID-19.
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediaku
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
