Dr. Badu Sarkodie, an economist at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has stated that Ghana’s GDP growth rate is encouraging news that should be shared while the government bargains with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a program.
He claimed that the nation had seen negative growth at that time; therefore, if the tendency is gradually turning, it needs to be emphasized.
Following the Finance Minister’s assertion that Ghana is increasing its GDP growth rate, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta made his remarks.
According to the Minister, this development provides the government with a strong base to meet the upcoming difficulties.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday September 28, Mr Ofori-Atta indicated that overall, Ghana’s growth outturn of 3.4% and 4.8% in Q1 and Q2 of 2022 respectively, coupled with modest improvements in our fiscal position, suggests the economy is gradually on the upswing despite the numerous shocks that the country has faced over the past two years.
“These figures demonstrate that in spite of recent challenges, there has been economic growth, modest as the gains so far may be.
“This progress gives us a solid foundation to confront the challenges ahead. Undoubtedly, global risks remain on the horizon, including a strengthening US dollar. and higher interest rates which negatively affect external borrowing.
“This development is exerting enormous pressure on our Balance of Payment position, and thus the need for us to expedite our engagement with the IMF.”
He added “Within this context, Government is finalizing its Post-COVID-19 economic programme as the domestic blueprint to engage the IMF.
Reacting to this on the Ghana Tonight show with Alfred Ocansey on TV3 Wednesday September 28, Dr Badu Sakodie said “The government is going for negotiations with the IMF and as part of the negotiations we have to assess the health of the economy. There are various indicators that are used in assessing the economy and real GDP growth rate is one of them.
“If the government is recording 4.8 per cent positive growth rate, of course they will bang their hopes on that and say that though the Cedi is depreciation, though inflation is rate is around 31 per cent but GDP growth rate is positive, it is around 4.8 per cent .
“So they are likely to tell the good story because already people know the bad ones so they have to tell the good ones. But as to whether it is indication that the economy is strong, I am not sure the present economy is strong.”
