IMF team expected in Ghana this week; 2027 Budget, energy debts in focus

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team is set to arrive in Accra this week to conduct Ghana's initial review under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI). The mission, led by Dr Ruben Atoyan, is slated for a duration of two weeks, according to sources familiar with the matter who were quoted by JoyBusiness during discussions at the Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. The team will evaluate Ghana's economic performance and the progress of reforms aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability.

The main areas of focus for the IMF team are expected to revolve around the proposed 2027 Budget and its alignment with the commitments under the PCI. Additionally, the team will scrutinize fiscal performance up to September 2026, focusing on revenue mobilization and measures to enhance government receipts. Other topics likely to be discussed include the Bank of Ghana's recapitalization, banking-sector supervision, and the regulation of the broader financial sector.

Energy sector challenges, particularly legacy debts and their impact on public finances, are anticipated to be a key point of discussion during the mission. The IMF team is expected to interact with government officials, the central bank, and other stakeholders before releasing a statement summarizing their findings.

The visit is part of Ghana's ongoing engagement with the IMF under the PCI, a non-financing framework aimed at consolidating economic gains and sustaining policy reforms. Although the PCI does not provide direct IMF funding, the review process offers authorities an opportunity to demonstrate their progress on economic commitments and bolster confidence among investors and development partners.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has emphasized that the framework is designed to bolster Ghana's next phase of reforms, enhance economic resilience, and foster broad-based growth. The PCI enables countries to engage closely with the IMF without receiving financing, supporting the design and implementation of economic reforms and signaling policy credibility to development partners and private investors.