A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to arrive in Ghana on Wednesday, July 6, to begin talks with the government about the economic assistance it seeks.
According to reports, the IMF officials, who will include senior officers from the Fund as well as local staff, will meet with the Finance Ministry, the Economic Management Team, and the Presidency during their visit.
Among other things, their visit to the country would focus on the details of a package to help Ghana’s struggling economy.
Following several engagements, it is expected that details of the bailout program and its conditions will be made public.
The government’s decision to seek economic refuge from the Fund has elicited mixed reactions, with some, particularly members of the National Democratic Congress, arguing that it was long overdue.
Some have also expressed concern about the impact of the move on public sector jobs and social programs, with organized labour opposing the decision.
Already, there are calls for President Akufo-Addo to fire Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and appoint a new face to lead the IMF talks.
However, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the reasons for Mr Ofori-resignation Atta are irrelevant.
“If you look at the work that our Finance Minister led us to do in the first part before these pandemics hit us, it will not support the argument that he should be fired because he was initially of the opinion that we can do this domestically.” “I don’t believe so,” he replied.
