Our return to IMF made the Ghana Beyond Aid policy the butt of jokes – Mahama

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s return to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a balance of payment bailout made mockery of the “Ghana Beyond Aid” mantra. 

Mr Mahama said this only meant the Akufo-Addo government did not believe in the policy. 

The former president said the government’s going cup-in-hand to the Bretton Woods Institution proved that President Akufo-Addo’s ‘Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda’ was a mere rhetoric. 

“Indeed our return to the IMF – cup-in-hand – has made our Ghana Beyond Aid policy the butt of jokes amongst many commentators in the world.”

“It will take a resolute and committed political will to determine our own economic destiny.”

Mr Mahama added that until Ghana as a nation build the ability to determine its own economic policies, it will also depend on the benevolence of others. 

“We will require the ability to determine our own economic policies that prioritise the well-being of our citizens, and create an environment conducive for the advancement of sustainable growth and development for job creation.”

He was speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 7th Ghana CEOs Summit on Monday, May 22. 

Ghana on Friday, May 19, received an amount of $600 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

It is the first tranche of a $3 billion bailout package approved by the IMF Board on Wednesday, May 17. 

President Akufo-Addo excited many hearts both home and abroad when at his inauguration in 2017, he espoused the lofty determination to lead a nation ready to take its destiny in its hands by leading the charge to build a viable Ghana without Aid.

With Ghana’s economy running aground, its managers have had to virtually chase the IMF for about a year for a life sustaining bailout.