University of Ghana Business School lecturer, Professor Godfred Bokpin, has called on the government to use the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to outline a clear strategy for sustaining Ghana’s recent economic gains beyond the current International Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported programme.
His appeal comes ahead of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson’s presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 23, during which he is also expected to unveil the government’s much-anticipated New Economic Policy.
Prof. Bokpin said the focus should go beyond highlighting achievements under the IMF programme and instead provide a long-term plan to maintain economic stability and growth.
“The more important thing is how we are going to sustain the limited gain that we have made under the IMF-supported programme, and what measures government will put in place, maybe perhaps beyond the Policy Coordination Instrument,” he said.
He noted that there is still limited public information about the reforms expected under the Economic Coordination Instrument (ECI), making it difficult to assess its likely impact on Ghana’s economy.
“Till date, we actually don’t know the number of policy reforms that are in the ECI, and therefore we are unable to make an impactful assessment of what that would mean for us going forward,” he noted.
According to Prof. Bokpin, the Mid-Year Budget should provide greater clarity on the government’s post-IMF strategy, particularly the reforms needed to strengthen fiscal discipline, support economic growth and maintain macroeconomic stability.
Beyond reviewing the economy’s performance in the first half of 2026, the Finance Minister is expected to use the budget presentation to introduce the New Economic Policy, which will guide Ghana’s economic direction after the current IMF programme.
The presentation is being closely monitored by businesses, investors and development partners, who are looking for clear signals on the government’s fiscal plans, debt management strategy and measures to sustain the country’s economic recovery.
