IMF Mission Arrives in Accra Today
By Esther Korantemaa Offei
A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to arrive in Accra on April 29, 2026, to conduct the final review of Ghana’s $3 billion economic program, a critical step that will determine the release of the next tranche of funding.
The review comes at a pivotal moment for Ghana’s economic recovery effort, with officials and analysts closely watching whether the country has met the required macroeconomic benchmarks under the agreement.
Economist Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie says the IMF assessment will focus on key indicators such as fiscal deficits, inflation, exchange rate stability, and the debt-to-GDP ratio, alongside expanded considerations like social protection systems.
“A prior action to the IMF program was also for us to restructure our debt,” he explained. “So all these indices, fiscal deficits, exchange rates, inflation rates, and debt levels, are part of the metrics they will use to determine whether we have passed the mark for the next tranche.”
He noted that the IMF’s evolving approach now places greater emphasis on social safety nets, a shift from earlier program. “In the past, the IMF didn’t care so much about social intervention program, but in this time around, they have paid much attention to them,” he said.
Ghana’s $3 billion support package is disbursed in tranches, meaning periodic reviews determine continued access to funds. “We didn’t receive the money in a lump sum. It was given in tranches,” Dr. Sarkodie said. “So after each review, if we meet the targets, we qualify for the next release.”
He added that while immediate economic transformation was not expected, signs of recovery are becoming more visible. “We didn’t expect the economy to pick up within one year. The full impact is expected as we move into the third year of the programme,” he said.
According to him, most macroeconomic indicators suggest Ghana is on a positive trajectory. “So far, so good. All indicators are pointing in the right direction. It suggests we have turned the corner as a country,” he stated.
Dr. Sarkodie also commended both past and present administrations, as well as technical institutions such as the Bank of Ghana and the Ministry of Finance, for maintaining discipline in meeting programme targets. “They have ensured Ghana attains the necessary metrics,” he noted.
However, he cautioned that challenges remain, particularly in the energy sector. “What is still outstanding for me is energy reform. We are still seeing pockets of power challenges, even if we pass overall, the score in that area may not be very strong,” he said.
