Seasoned journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr has raised alarm bells over the Mahama government’s decision to allow the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to vet and approve Ghana’s 2027 budget, despite public pronouncements that Ghana had exited the IMF programme.
In a passionate commentary on Metro TV’s “Good Morning Ghana,” Pratt expressed deep concern after reports surfaced that the IMF had already approved the national budget before it was presented to Parliament. “This is our budget. This is Ghana’s budget. And before the budget is released, we are told that the IMF has approved it,” Pratt said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
He questioned the government’s claims of leaving the $3 billion IMF programme, wondering why, if Ghana had truly exited, the country’s most important economic document would still be subject to IMF approval. “At the time when we are boasting about exiting the IMF programme, if you have exited the IMF programme, why are we submitting our budget to IMF for approval?” he queried.
Pratt argued that the IMF’s own comments about the budget exposed a contradiction at the heart of the government’s narrative. According to him, the Fund claimed to understand the projected impacts and resource flows in the budget, raising questions about who really holds the reins of Ghana’s economic policy.
“Who is in charge? Is it the IMF? Is it our Ministry of Finance? I’m confused. We are either under an IMF programme or we are not,” he fumed, echoing the confusion of many Ghanaians.
The Insight newspaper managing editor went further, warning that Ghana’s reliance on the IMF was creating a dangerous precedent where the Fund effectively dictates national policy. He reminded listeners that Ghana has turned to the IMF eighteen times in the past, each time facing greater hardship after the intervention.
“…We do know we’ve been there eighteen times. Every time we’ve come out, it’s been more disastrous than before we went there. So, what’s this reliance on the IMF?” he lamented.
Pratt also criticized the IMF’s satisfaction with the government’s plans, questioning whether the budget should serve the interests of the IMF or the Ghanaian people. “Is it the IMF who should be happy with our budget or the people of Ghana?” he asked pointedly.
As the country awaits the official presentation of the 2027 budget, Pratt’s impassioned remarks serve as a rallying cry for greater economic independence. “We want the IMF off our backs, at least for a change,” he concluded, urging the government to chart a path free from external control.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com