Former Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam Anta has described the successful implementation of Ghana’s IMF program as one of the greatest achievements of his tenure.
The Karaga MP said this highlighted his pivotal role in securing multiple positive reviews from the global financial institution.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Dr Amin Adam emphasized how his experience in the Ministry of Finance, first as Minister of State and later as substantive Minister, shaped his approach to economic management.
“And for me, it was a learning experience as well. Let me also add, that having served in the Ministry of Finance as Minister of State, allowed me to learn firsthand what was happening at the Ministry of Finance, how they did analysis, and how they interpreted this analysis. And also, some of the policies they have been pursuing,” he explained.
He said his tenure was marked by a sense of urgency in policy implementation, particularly in key areas such as debt restructuring and negotiations with the IMF.
“What I could do was to build on what I met at the Ministry of Finance, and also to bring a sense of urgency in the implementation of some of those policies.
“But you will also notice that I did a lot of external works, you know, particularly working with the IMF to implement the IMF program, and then also doing the debt restructuring with the euro bonds. Those were significant moments in the history of our country, and I took them very seriously.”
Dr Amin Adam pointed out that Ghana’s successful engagement with the IMF was widely recognized, especially with the country passing three successive reviews under the program.
“As you know, the implementation of the IMF program has been one of the major success stories of my tenure, going through three successful reviews of the IMF, the last review being on the second of December.”
He also took issue with assertions by President Mahama that the economy was in distress, questioning how such a conclusion could be drawn when international financial institutions had given Ghana’s economic performance a positive appraisal.
“This is why, when I hear President Mahama say that he inherited a struggling economy, I worry. He’s calling for a national economic dialogue. I worry. I wonder, where is he from? Was he on Mars?
“Because just on the second of December, the IMF gave a judgment on our economy. The IMF that they have also been consulting since they came into government. They have been talking to the IMF. They have been talking to the World Bank, which on December 2, gave an emphatic judgment about the economy.”
Dr. Amin Adam’s reflections underscore his belief that the reforms and policies initiated under his tenure positioned Ghana’s economy on a path to recovery.
He maintained that despite the economic turbulence faced in the past, the IMF program was a defining success, ensuring macroeconomic stability and confidence in the financial markets.
Source: myjoyonline.com