The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed confidence in Ghana’s economic reforms, assuring that the country is well positioned to maintain fiscal discipline beyond the expiration of its current bailout programme in May 2026. According to the Fund, Ghana’s recent measures to strengthen fiscal responsibility provide a solid foundation for long-term stability and investor confidence.
At a press briefing in Washington, DC, IMF Director of Communications, Julie Kozack, highlighted that several key reforms have been designed to endure well beyond the programme’s lifespan. She pointed to the establishment of an independent fiscal council, stronger oversight of public spending, and a revamped fiscal responsibility framework as lasting steps toward stability.
The framework, Kozack explained, contains binding rules to prevent fiscal slippage. Among them is a primary balance rule requiring Ghana to maintain a surplus of at least 1.5% of GDP annually, as well as a public debt ceiling set at 45% of GDP. These mechanisms, she noted, are critical to safeguarding economic credibility and providing clear guidance for policymakers.
For Ghana, the reforms are not only about satisfying IMF conditions but also about restoring market trust. The government has pledged to uphold these commitments as part of a broader effort to reassure investors, donors, and development partners that fiscal prudence will remain intact after the programme ends. Analysts say this consistency could be crucial in lowering borrowing costs and sustaining growth momentum.
Meanwhile, an IMF mission team led by Ruben Atoyan has begun its fifth review of Ghana’s performance under the programme in Accra. The team will meet officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana over the next two weeks to assess progress and ensure that targets are being met. Their findings are expected to influence the release of further funding tranches and shape Ghana’s economic outlook heading into 2026 and beyond.
source: citi newsroom