A cross-section of Ghanaians have expressed unanimous views on economic indicators they expect to significantly improve to enhance business and livelihoods, following Ghana's conclusion of its latest IMF programme.

The IMF last week announced that Ghana had concluded its Extended Credit Facility programme, and transited into another, the Policy Coordination Instrument, a non-financing programme, which also allows the IMF to supervise the government's policies with some form of restrictions expected.

However, following the exit from the Extended Credit Facility, a cross section of Ghanaians from the business community, petty traders, the working class and students, among others, expect the exit to ensure stability, rather than worsen economic conditions.

In interviews, fears were expressed about the fragility of the economy notwithstanding the seeming stability, with concerns expressed on mainly three indicators: utility tarrifs, cost of living and exchange rate stability.

"Ghanaians have made lots of sacrifices and have paid some heavy price for the economic gains we have seen. You can talk of new taxes introduced, heavy electricity bills, sacrifices of cocoa farmers and many others this year. So with the exit from the IMF, I, and indeed many from the business community expect improvements without further tax burden on businesses," said Francis Ackon, a spare parts dealer at Abossey Okai.

Another spare parts dealer, Francis Peprah, expressed hope that the exchange rate, which he said has started declining lately, will see more stability and not decline futher, following the exit from the IMF programme.

"The exchange rate has seen stability, but it has also showed vulnerability, as we have seen some decline lately. For us importers, this is key and our expectation is that the IMF exit should not lead to a sharp decline. We also do not expect to be slapped with further taxes," he said.

A number of the importers expressed similar concerns about exchange rate stability and against imposition of new taxes going forward.

For petty traders and households, the main concerns were high electricity tariffs and general cost of living, which they hoped should not further go up.

"As for our salon business electricity is one of my major expenses. Over the last year, the cost of my consumption has nearly doubled for the same things I use so I hope we don't see further increase as the government exits the IMF," said Elizabeth Boadu, who owns a salon in Osu, Accra.

Francis Azuma, a public worker, complained about rising cost of living, despite what he said has been ''much talk about economic gains," and called on the government to do everything possible to ensure that the gains impact livelihood.

"What is economic gain if it's not reflected in cost of living and livelihood? We are paying for more transport fares than before and we are paying more utility bills than before. So what's the point in going to the IMF and registering all these economic indicators only for cost of living to keep going up? argued Francis Amenyo, a student.

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IMF Exit: Ghanaians Want Better Electricity Prices, Stable Exchange Rate, Less Tax and Lower Cost of Living

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