President elect John Dramani Mahama has revealed that he will be pushing for early engagement with the IMF and World Bank to renegotiate current programs with the country’s development partners.
He hinted that The discussion will be guided by proposals to reset the economy.
He disclosed this during a meeting with the UN resident coordinator in Accra.
“Looking at the existing programs, we need to tweak them to meet the realities of today to do so. I believe we’ve had discussions with the World Bank and the IMF already and we look to an early engagement so that we can continue to be on the same wavelength.”
He also made known that one of the major focus of his administration is to prioritize the economy affirming that Stabilizing the economy will be a top focus, as a struggling economy can have devastating effects on all aspects of national life.
“The economy is going to be the number one focus because it affects everything else. If the economy is in a bad way, it affects education, it affects agriculture, it affects sports, it affects every sector of the country. So, we’re going to have to be dealing with stabilizing the economy.”
Mahama Further announced plans to continue the country’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, with a focus on negotiating tweaks to the existing agreement.
He assured that his government is committed to aligning the national budget with the IMF program, ensuring continuity and stability in the country’s economic management.
“we are going to continue the IMF program. We already have requested some discussion with the IMF because we were not part of the negotiation of this program and so, we need to look at how we can all be on the same wavelength in terms of implementing the program.”
“We are not going to jettison the program. I want to make that clear. We are not jettisoning the program. But within the program, I’m sure that there can be some leverage for tweaking it and so, if we are able to reach that agreement, then we will continue the program until it ends. What it means is that the budgets must align with the IMF program.”
Story by: Sarah Esinam Atiemo | univers.ug.edu.gh
