Financial Analyst, Joe Jackson has indicated that the economic woes that Ghana is facing currently will make it difficult for the next government to manage its affairs.
He observed that Ghana’s economy is currently in a ditch however, he expressed optimism that the economy would survive and come out stronger.
“The economy is in the ICU and we are not struggling to get out. For me, but for politics and power there would be no need for anyone to conest to become president because the next government will struggle,” he said on the ‘Pae Muka’ Show with Yaa Titi on Onua FM Monday, January 22.
He added “That was why Mr John Dramani Mahama was talking about honeymoon, he has admitted that the work will be tough. I can’t say whether he will deliver or not but at least he himself has admitted that the work will be tough.”
Mr Jackson further stated that the relationship between the Cedi and the Dollar would have been extremely bad but for the $600million second tranche of the $ 3 billion cash from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The Cedi is currently trading at 1 USD – 12.045715 as of January 22, 2024, in some forex bureaux.
Per the Bank of Ghana rate, it is buying at 11.9541 to a Dollar and selling at 11.9661 to a Dollar as of Monday, January 22.
Mr Joe Jackson who is also the Chief Operations Officer at Dalex Finance said “Delay in release of $600million threatened the Cedi. The Dollar to Cedi ratio would have gone up but for the $600million.”
His comments come at a time when the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that it has completed the first review of the $3 billion, 36-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, which was approved by the Board on May, 17, 2023 , as well as the 2023 Article IV Consultation with Ghana.
Ghana’s Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta explained that the IMF board’s approval of the first review of Ghana’s loan programme will engender the disbursement of about $600 million under its $3 billion bailout programme.
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“It is with great honour that I can announce to you that earlier today, the International Monetary Fund endorsed the first review of our programme. This is a resounding affirmation that the programme is advancing steadily and our reform trajectory remains steadfast”.
“Consequently, the endorsement has unlocked a $600 million disbursement from the IMF and will pave the way for an additional $300 million disbursement from the World Bank under the development policy operation financing,” he said.
It would be recalled that the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:
“Ghana’s economic performance has been marked by significant volatility over the years. Most recently, severe external shocks compounded pre-existing fiscal and debt vulnerabilities, leading to acute economic and financial pressures in 2022. The authorities’ efforts to reorient macroeconomic policies, restructure debt, and initiate wide ranging reforms are already generating positive results, with growth more resilient than initially envisaged, inflation declining, the fiscal and external positions improving, and international reserves increasing.
“Fully and durably restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and fostering higher and more inclusive growth require steadfast policy and reform implementation. The government‘s plans to further reduce deficits by mobilizing additional domestic revenue and streamlining expenditure and to finalize its comprehensive debt restructuring are critical to underpin debt sustainability and ease financing constraints. Continued efforts to protect the vulnerable and to create space for higher social and development spending are also key. Reforms to improve tax administration, strengthen expenditure control and management of arrears, enhance fiscal rules and institutions, and improve SOEs management are needed to ensure lasting adjustment.
Mr Ofori-Atta, said that the government will implement strong reforms to support fiscal consolidation and economic growth agenda.
He said this during the joint press conference organized by the Ministry of Finance, the IMF, and the Bank of Ghana on Friday, January 19 on the $ 600 million second tranche of the $3billion programme with the fund.
“An ambitious structural reforms will be implemented in the areas of tax policy for the financial management, energy, and cocoa sectors to support our financial consolidation and growth agenda,” Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, said.
He further expressed confidence that the second tranche of $600 million from the Fund will be disbursed in no time.
Mr Ofori-Atta explained that the IMF board’s approval of the first review of Ghana’s loan programme will engender the disbursement of about $600 million under its $3 billion bailout programme.
“It is with great honour that I can announce to you that earlier today, the International Monetary Fund endorsed the first review of our programme. This is a resounding affirmation that the programme is advancing steadily and our reform trajectory remains steadfast”.
“Consequently, the endorsement has unlocked a $600 million disbursement from the IMF and will pave the way for an additional $300 million disbursement from the World Bank under the development policy operation financing,” he said.
