IMF Staff Mission expected in Ghana at end of September for 5th Programme Review

• Posted on September 8, 2025September 8, 2025
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission is expected in Accra at the end of September 2025 to assess Ghana’s economic progress and conduct the 5th review under the Fund programme.

The visit follows Ghana’s completion of the 4th review earlier this year and will serve as the penultimate assessment before the programme concludes in May 2026. 

The final review is scheduled for April 2026.

Market analysts describe the 5th review as crucial, warning that Ghana may struggle to sustain fiscal discipline after exiting the programme. 

Donor partners have urged the government to establish “shock absorbers” to safeguard stability once IMF support ends.

The government, however, insists it has already implemented measures to assure markets of continued expenditure discipline, stressing that there is no cause for alarm.

If Ghana passes this review, the country is expected to receive about US$360 million in October 2025. So far, Ghana has received GH¢2.3 billion since signing up for the IMF programme.

Focus of the 5th Review

Joy Business understands the review will examine Ghana’s economic data up to June 2025, with attention on:

1. Inflation performance.
2. Sustainability of reserve build-up.
3. Audit of arrears.
4. Weak private sector banks in need of recapitalisation.
5. State-owned banks facing recapitalisation challenges similar to NIB.
6. Fiscal revenue shortfalls amid an appreciating currency and the need to meet the 1.5% of GDP primary surplus target.
7. Arrears build-up in NHIL, GETFund, and Road Fund.
8. Social spending gaps.

Ghana’s IMF Programme

On May 17, 2023, the IMF Executive Board approved a 36-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement worth SDR 2.242 billion (about US$3 billion). This included an immediate disbursement of SDR 451.4 million (about US$600 million), with subsequent disbursements tied to successful programme reviews.

The programme’s priorities include:

• Restoring public finances to a sustainable path by boosting domestic revenue and improving spending efficiency, while protecting the vulnerable.
• Expanding social protection, including doubling the benefits of the LEAP cash transfer programme and increasing allocations for school feeding.
• Implementing structural reforms in tax policy, revenue administration, public financial management, and addressing weaknesses in the energy and cocoa sectors.
• Controlling inflation through tighter monetary policy, eliminating central bank financing of the budget, and maintaining a flexible exchange rate to rebuild reserves.
• Preserving financial stability and encouraging private investment, growth, and job creation.