The government will meet today to take stock of its performance from last year to the first quarter of this year.
The Minister of Finance Mr Seth Terkper who in an interview disclosed that the stocktaking would look at various policies being implemented by government including its own home grown policies among other initiatives contained in the Senchi consensus.
He said as part of the stocktaking, government would take opportunity to discuss matters arising from the International Monitory Fund (IMF) programme ahead of the first review in June this year.
The minister said that was particularly important considering various discussions that took centre stage on the IMF programme with the country.
Prospects
Touching on prospects of the future, Mr Terkper said in spite of some challenges such as the power crisis, “the prospects are bright,” adding, “We are making progress despite the power crisis.”
He said the service, agriculture and energy sectors would be looked at in line with the government’s transformation agenda.
Senchi consensus
In May, last year, more than 140 Ghanaians drawn from organised labour, Ghanaian private sector, professional associations, financial institutions, security services, traditional leaders, political parties, parliamentarians, the clergy, policy think tanks, academia, civil society, and government ministries met in Senchi in the spirit of shared interest and commitments to build national consensus for economic and social transformation.
At the end of the three-day forum, the participants came out with a report known as the Senchi Consensus which was intended to restore the country’s economic stability and stimulate.
IMF bailout
While efforts were being made to implement the recommendations contained in the report, the President, Mr. John Dramani decided to increase the tempo of economic recovery and directed the managers of the economy to engage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other developmental partners to help the country out of its economic challenges.
After series of meetings and discussions, the IMF Board approved Ghana’s request for a programme to help stabilise its economy.
With the approval, Ghana was granted $ 918 million spread over three years.
Already, the first tranche of $114million out of a little over $300million for the first year has been disbursed.
Source: Graphic