Isaac Adongo, a lawmaker from Bolgatanga Central, has requested that the IMF team carefully analyze and scrutinize government spending, particularly in the area of the fight against coronavirus.
He suggested that, if at all feasible, the team go to the Bank of Ghana to examine their records pertaining to the releases they made to the Ghanaian government to combat the virus.
On Tuesday, July 12, he urged reporters in Parliament, “IMF, open your eyes there.” Open your eyes, examine all of COVID’s paperwork, including its budget statements; they should do this because that is where the meat is. IMF, please visit the Bank of Ghana and sit down to see how much money they have handed to the government.
The IMF staff team, led by Carlo Sdralevich, mission chief for Ghana, is in Ghana for initial discussions with Ghanaian authorities about a possible IMF-supported programme.
Mr. Sdralevich in a statement said “On the basis of a request from the Ghanaian authorities, an IMF staff team will in the coming days kick-start discussions on a possible program to support Ghana’s homegrown economic policies. We are at an early stage in the process, given that detailed discussions are yet to take place.”
“The IMF stands ready to assist Ghana to restore macroeconomic stability, safeguard debt sustainability, and promote inclusive and sustainable growth, and address the impact of the war in Ukraine and the lingering pandemic.”
“We are looking forward to our engagement with the authorities in Accra,” the Fund said.
The Government of Ghana on Friday July 1 announced that it was seeking support from the IMF.
This followed a telephone conversation between the President and the IMF Managing Director, Miss Kristalina Georgieva, conveying Ghana’s decision to engage with the Fund, a statement by the Ministry of Information said.
