According to President Nana Akufo-Addo, the choice to request assistance from the International Monetary Fund was painful but essential.
In his speech to the nation on Sunday, May 28, he explained that the decision to turn to the IMF for assistance was made after carefully weighing all available options.
“It was a painful decision for me to take, because going to the IMF was not part of the economic transformation agenda I had been pursuing, especially as my government had gone the extra mile to bring to a successful end the IMF program we inherited from the previous government,”
In his speech, Akufo-Addo expressed his optimism that the IMF’s intervention would contribute to some economic recovery and raise consumer confidence.
His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated the WHO’s statement that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency by claiming that the pandemic is over.
The World Health Organization initially declared COVID-19 to no longer be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 5, 2023.
In his speech to the nation on May 28, Akufo Addo thanked everyone for their support during the trying time.
“This too has passed,” he told Ghanaians adding that “the emergency is over and we can safely lift any of those oppressive restrictions we have had to endure.”
The first cases in Ghana appeared in March 2020, setting off a series of health initiatives that included immunizations, testing, and other drastic measures to stop the pandemic.