Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s Finance Minister, has expressed confidence that Ghana’s economy will outperform the International Monetary Fund’s revised growth forecast of 5.7% for 2026.
Ato Forson, reacting to the IMF’s upward revision from its April projection of 4.6%, stressed that the government remained committed to fiscal discipline and reforms supporting the country’s economic turnaround.
Ato Forson stated, “The IMF has upgraded Ghana’s 2026 growth forecast from 4.6% to 5.7%. We are confident we will exceed that projection”.
The IMF’s revision represents an increase of 1.1 percentage points in the Fund’s growth forecast.
Dr Forson stated, “In Bangkok, I met with the IMF’s African Department Director, Zeine Zeidane, and reaffirmed our commitment to the fiscal credibility, discipline and bold reforms powering Ghana’s economic turnaround,” he said.
Also, the IMF has cited Ghana’s economic reform programme as an example for other countries to follow.
The IMF African Department Director, Zeine Zeidane, praised the country’s progress under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
During a meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, Zeine Zeidane told Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. “We tell others to follow your steps”.
He further commended Ghana’s performance under the programme, describing it as a success and acknowledging the government’s efforts to strengthen economic management.
“I want to first commend you on how you are performing. The ECF was a great success,” he said.
He further expressed a positive assessment of Ghana’s current economic position, declaring that “Ghana is in a very good place.”
In related news, President John Dramani Mahama has said Ghana’s economy is resilient and capable of withstanding external shocks.
According to John Mahama, Ghana’s economy used to stand on broomsticks; but today it is standing on concrete pillars.
Mahama noted that in the past Ghana’s economy was vulnerable to developments in the global economic environment, but argued that today the economy is stabilised despite international challenges.
Speaking during his accountability engagement in Wa at the weekend as part of his #ResettingGhana Tour of the Upper West Region, Mahama stated, “In the past, Ghana’s economy used to stand on broomsticks. As soon as something happens in the world, it comes crashing down. Today Ghana’s economy is standing on concrete pillars, so even when there’s an earthquake, the country is still standing.
“This Iran-Israel-US war, if it had happened some years back, by now the economy would have come crashing down, but happily it’s been well managed,” the President explained.
Mahama, however, noted that while the economy remained stable, external developments had slowed the pace of progress expected by the Government.
According to John Mahama, his government planned to invest GH¢2.5 billion annually in five key sectors of the economy under its proposed “new economy” initiative aimed at creating jobs and opportunities for young people.
President Mahama disclosed that the Minister of Finance would unveil the initiative in the 2027 Budget Statement, with investments targeted at sectors including pharmaceuticals, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, and power generation.
“These are not going to be government businesses. Government is not going to set up state-owned enterprises with GH₵2.5 billion a year. It is going to go to the private sector to set up the businesses,” President Mahama indicated.
Mahama further urged entrepreneurs and private sector operators to take advantage of the opportunities to expand businesses and create employment for the youth.
Also, Haruna Iddrisu, the Education Minister, has quizzed the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on why they are dead silent about Ghana’s economy.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, the NPP’s silence on the economy at its recent delegates conference amounted to an acknowledgement that President John Dramani Mahama’s administration was performing better.
The Education Minister questioned why the NPP are not talking about inflation, debt, the debt-to-GDP rate and the number of investments in infrastructure.
@ghnow_ Ayawaso East MP, Hon. Baba Jamal, has cautioned politicians against acting as lords over the people instead of serving those who elected them. He further stated that politics is not a dirty game, but a dirtied game. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Justice Srem-Sai has been spotted with Gifty Mawunyo Dumelo, wife of John Dumelo, at the Accra High Court. #GHNow #fyp ♬ Gen Z – Fameye
