General News of Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Source: starrfmonline.com

Government to begin talks with IMF today

The Government of Ghana will today begin the much-anticipated bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund.

The Bretton Wood institution was approached by the West African nation to help fix some pressing economic challenges including the fast depreciating cedi.

The IMF team has already been in the country for about two weeks.

Until recently, Ghana’s economy was touted as among the ten emerging economies following the oil find.

But some recent developments in the economy, including the fast depreciating cedi and a high inflation rate, have eroded such gains.

The cedi, which has depreciated by over 30 percent against the Dollar this year, is one of the worst performing currencies.

The economic team to meet the IMF to find possible solutions to the ailing economy would be led by former Finance Minister Kwesi Botchwey.

However, the Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Kwaku Kwarteng, is of the view that the outcome of the meeting will depend on what government brings on the table for discussions.