- Issah notes Ghana has sought IMF assistance 17 times over the last three decades
- He calls for national reflection and development of homegrown economic strategies
- He emphasizes we preserve economic sovereignty and avoid future bailouts
Sagnarigu MP, Atta Issah, has urged the government to reconsider its ongoing reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for economic support.
His comments follow a recent staff-level agreement between the IMF and Ghana after the fourth review of the country’s three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. If approved by the IMF Executive Board, this agreement could release around US$370 million in financial aid for Ghana.
In an interview on Citi FM, Mr. Issah — who serves on Parliament’s Finance Committee — expressed concern over Ghana’s repeated return to the IMF over the past 30 years.
“I hope this will be the final time we surrender our economic independence to external bodies,” he said. “We have the expertise in this country. Why has every government in the last three decades ended up turning to the IMF — 17 times in total?”
He called for a national dialogue on Ghana’s economic direction, emphasizing the need for sustainable, homegrown solutions.
“It’s time we reflect as a nation and ensure this is the last time we seek IMF assistance,” he added.
Mr. Issah also acknowledged the roles played by both the current and previous administrations in navigating Ghana’s economic challenges, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the country’s economic management.
“Both the NDC and the recently exited NPP administration deserve credit for their efforts in handling the IMF programme,” he noted.
