President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana is preparing to exit the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme “with dignity,” as the government strives to restore macroeconomic stability.
Ghana entered the IMF-supported programme in 2023 due to soaring inflation, a depreciating cedi, and increasing public debt that undermined economic confidence. The programme aimed to stabilise the economy, provide balance-of-payments support, and facilitate access to additional international financing.
In his New Year address to the nation on January 1, 2026, President Mahama stated that the reforms implemented over the past year had sufficiently strengthened key economic indicators to enable a gradual and responsible exit from IMF oversight.
“We are initiating the process of exiting the IMF programme with dignity, not as supplicants, but as partners,” he remarked, emphasising the government’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s economic sovereignty while maintaining credibility with international partners.
The President pointed out that debt renegotiations had been finalised “on terms that protect our sovereignty while ensuring sustainability.” He also underscored improvements in economic fundamentals, such as a reduction in inflation from levels exceeding 23 percent by the end of 2024, relative stability in the cedi, and enhanced business confidence.
President Mahama further reflected that when his administration assumed office, Ghana was “a nation in distress,” facing slow growth, high inflation, and depleted fiscal buffers. However, he noted that prudent economic management and targeted reforms had started to produce positive outcomes across key sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
In addition to macroeconomic stabilization, the President reiterated his commitment to enhancing infrastructure, healthcare, and education, including initiatives aimed at achieving universal health coverage and expanding social housing.
Although the IMF program has played a role in fostering economic stability, it has also sparked discussions regarding policy conditionalities and their potential long-term effects.
President Mahama emphasized that the goal of the government is to guarantee that Ghana achieves financial independence while maintaining robust international collaborations.
He stated that his administration is dedicated to solidifying the recovery, rebuilding public trust, and ensuring that when Ghana concludes the IMF programme, it does so from a standpoint of strength and dignity.
