The President, John Mahama, has assured Ghanaians this will be the last time the nation will be seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“It is my hope that it will be the last time we will have to go to the IMF for any such programme…This will be the IMF programme to end all programmes,” he said.
President Mahama is therefore asking for the “cooperation of all Ghanaians as we begin this IMF programme.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”pEheZs2XoGQDeVdFYscCfBHAkvOynJMd”]The President was addressing a mammoth crowd which had gathered at the airport to welcome him from the United Arab Emirates.
Some of the dignitaries who welcomed the president included the Minister of Defence Ben Kumbour, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and host of his appointees.
Ghana is in talks with the IMF for a bailout out programme which will help bring the country’s economy back on track.
After first round of negotiations, the IMF has announced some drastic measures to be taken to revive the economy including the reduction of the public wage bill, removal of petroleum subsidies among others.
This is expected to bring some hardship on Ghanaians within the period.
The President was however hopeful that the three-year programme with the IMF will help “Ghana’s economy to become stronger and more robust than ever before in the history of this country.”
Touching on some of the outcomes of his meetings abroad, President Mahama said, “We’ve had several meetings and discussions with various groups and people that I’m sure will be of benefit to Ghana…Many good things will happen to Ghana.”
On the issue of the Ebola outbreak in the West African sub-region, President Mahama said: “I continue to thank the Almighty God for keeping the disease Ebola out of our country.”
He appealed to Ghanaians to continue support affected Ebola nations.
He was also hopeful that the current international response to fighting the disease will help affected countries.
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By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana