President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the country will complete its $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on schedule — without seeking an extension beyond April 2026.
He reiterated that he will maintain strict fiscal discipline and full implementation of the IMF-supported programme.
President Mahama made the remarks while interacting with business leaders.
He asserted that “I can assure you that we will maintain fiscal discipline and prudence during the IMF programme, but our discipline will not end there. Even after we exit next year, my hope is that we will have implemented the programme so effectively that there will be no need for an extension beyond April 2026.
“After we complete the programme, we will continue to manage government expenditure responsibly and maintain disciplined economic management, creating more space for private sector growth.”
He further pledged to support the private sector since that will help in promoting economic stability.
“If the private sector thrives, the economy thrives. If the private sector is happy, the government is happy. It is the private sector that can absorb and employ the teeming youth graduating from all levels of our educational system,” he said.
He said the private sector has the capability to provide more job opportunities for the unemployed youth in the country compared to the public sector.
“When you add up all government employees, from watchmen to chief executives, you’re talking about fewer than a million people — approximately 800,000 — in a population of 33 million.”
“Even if we doubled that number, we would still face a major youth unemployment challenge. The only sector that can adequately absorb the growing number of young people entering the workforce is the private sector.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
