Ghanaian CSOs bid farewell to outgoing IMF boss

A coalition of Ghanaian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the Economic Governance Platform (EGP), held a farewell meeting with the outgoing Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Ghana. The meeting served as an opportunity to reflect on the IMF’s engagement with civil society during a turbulent period in Ghana’s economic history. The CSOs acknowledged the Resident Representative’s openness to dialogue and willingness to engage with non - state actors, a departure from the more opaque relationships of the past.They highlighted how regular briefings and access to data had empowered CSOs to monitor the IMF programme more effectively and hold the government accountable. However, the groups also raised lingering concerns.They pointed to the social impact of the rigorous fiscal adjustments required by the programme and urged the IMF to place a stronger emphasis on social impact assessments in future reviews.EGP specifically raised the issue of debt transparency and the need for the Fund to be more vocal about the governance reforms that are structural benchmarks of the programme. In response, the outgoing Resident Representative thanked the CSOs for their constructive criticism and partnership.He emphasized that the IMF views civil society as a critical partner in ensuring programme ownership and sustainability.He urged the CSOs to maintain their vigilance and continue to demand accountability from national leaders. As Ghana continues its journey under the Extended Credit Facility, the relationship between the IMF and renewed civil society will remain a critical accountability mechanism.