The Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu, Atta Issah, has called on the government to reconsider its dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for economic support.
His remarks come on the back of a recent staff-level agreement reached between the IMF and Ghana following the fourth review of the country’s three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. If approved by the IMF Executive Board, the deal is expected to unlock approximately US$370 million in financial assistance for Ghana.
Speaking during an interview on Citi FM, Mr. Issah, who is also a member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, raised concerns about Ghana’s recurring engagements with the IMF over the past three decades.
“I only urge that this should be the last time as a country we cede our sovereignty to external partners. We have the brains in this country. Why is it that for 17 times consecutively, every government in the last three decades has in one way or the other signed up to the IMF programme?” he questioned.
Mr. Issah stressed the need for a national reflection on Ghana’s economic path, urging policymakers to work toward a future free from IMF bailouts.
“And I think that it’s cause for us to reflect as a nation and to make sure that this becomes the last time we will approach the IMF again,” he added.
The MP also acknowledged the efforts of both the Akufo-Addo and Mahama administrations in managing the country’s economy, noting that Ghana’s progress has been shaped by a collective contribution across different governments.
“For me, I know that the NDC should get the credit, as well as the NPP who just left power should also get credit in terms of how we managed this IMF programme,” he stated.