Ghana will thrive beyond IMF Programme – Deputy Finance Minister

Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline and steering Ghana’s economy without further dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Commenting on President John Dramani Mahama’s recently outlined eight economic pillars, Mr. Nyarko stressed that the policy framework is both strong and adaptable, capable of incorporating additional national priorities, such as the fight against corruption.

In an interview with Joy FM, Mr Ampem Nyarko said, “I want to assure everyone that the eight points President Mahama listed can be expanded to include corruption and other key concerns. We’ve made strong statements in the past about our commitment to fighting corruption.

“So, I do not believe that its omission here suggests the President is any less committed. He has made that clear — and he stands by it.”

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the President’s focus on Public Financial Management (PFM) was itself a sign of the administration’s intent to address corruption.

“PFM, by its nature, speaks to our resolve to fight corruption. Yes, people expect the President to address everything, but if we tried to capture every issue, the list could easily grow to over a hundred points. What matters is that these pillars are expandable — they can evolve to reflect the concerns of our citizens,” he stated.

On the IMF programme, Mr. Nyarko reflected on the skepticism that greeted the government’s ability to implement it successfully, especially after inheriting missed targets related to inflation and the primary balance.

“When we assumed office, there were serious concerns that we wouldn’t be able to deliver on the IMF programme. Major targets — including inflation and the primary balance — had been missed. But this government showed a clear and consistent commitment to implementation,” the Deputy Finance Minister said.