IMF Boss In Ghana For A Two Day Visit

The Head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde is in Ghana for a two day visit. Her coming is ahead of the nation's exit from the Fund by the end of this year.

Madam Christine Lagarde's visit is viewed by some analysts as symbolic as it may signify the Fund's impression with Ghana's overall performance under the three year program.

Her itinerary involves her participation in a sub Saharan African conference to be hosted in Ghana today [December 17, 2018].

The conference looks at the future of work within the sub region and how leaders can work to provide jobs for the growing population.

Later, she will hold bilateral talks with President Akufo Addo.

Ahead of her departure tomorrow, Madam Christine Lagarde will give a key note address in a seminar to be attended by key government officials, NGOs, civil societies, among others.

At a welcome ceremony on Sunday [December 16, 2018], the IMF gave brief remarks where she talked of her excitement of visiting Ghana.

“I am very pleased to be in Ghana and to be in Accra and I look forward to a very productive visit with the authorities. I am delighted that Mr. Vice President was able to come and greet me on arrival; it’s very nice of him,” she noted.

Other dignitaries who were present included; Professor George Gyan Baffour – minister of planning; Bank of Ghana Governor – Dr. Ernest Addison, 1^st deputy Governor – Maxwell Opoku Afari as well as representatives from the Ministry of Finance.

Ghana entered the IMF program for an economic assistance of 918 million dollars.

It has so far disbursed 764.1 million dollars.

The signing unto the Fund has helped in keeping the government's expenditure under control in some areas plus other economic benefits.

However, the restriction of jobs particularly in the public sector has been a major point of criticism by groups such as the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Source: citibusinessnews.com/Ghana