Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has described the country’s ongoing programme with the International Monetary Fund as a success, pointing to improved economic stability and renewed confidence following the 2022 crisis.
The Minister made the remarks after receiving an IMF mission team led by Ruben Atoyan to begin the sixth review of Ghana’s programme under the Extended Credit Facility.
According to him, the partnership between Ghana and the IMF has been “long, demanding, but ultimately transformative,” delivering measurable gains across key economic indicators.
“Together, we have stabilised the economy, restored credibility, and given renewed hope to the Ghanaian people,” he said, expressing appreciation to the IMF team on behalf of John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana.
Mr. Forson noted that the progress achieved so far has come at the cost of difficult policy choices and strict fiscal discipline, urging stakeholders not to become complacent.
Despite the gains, he identified youth unemployment as the most pressing risk to Ghana’s recovery, warning that failure to expand private sector job creation could place unsustainable pressure on the state.
He stressed the need to ensure that macroeconomic stability translates into real improvements in people’s lives through investment, employment opportunities, and inclusive growth.
“Beyond the numbers, that is the true test of this recovery,” he emphasised.
Looking ahead, the Minister indicated that government will take key policy decisions before the conclusion of the IMF mission to shape the next phase of the reform agenda. These measures, he said, will focus on strengthening policy credibility, enforcing fiscal discipline, and boosting investor confidence.
He added that the IMF team shares government’s assessment, describing the current stage of the programme as a significant milestone and acknowledging the strong efforts made so far.
Mr. Forson reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining the gains achieved under the programme, noting that with stability restored and credibility regained, the priority now is to translate progress into lasting prosperity.
“We will keep the momentum,” he stated.