The Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Abebe Aemro Selassie, has praised Ghana for making significant progress in key development areas, particularly in electricity access and improvements in living standards.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV on Wednesday, January 21, Mr Selassie said the gains achieved by the country should largely be attributed to the efforts of Ghanaians and their institutions, rather than IMF interventions.
“There has been remarkable progress in Ghana, and this is not because of the IMF or its programmes,” he said. “It is the result of what Ghanaians themselves — governments, businesses, Parliament and civil society — have worked hard to achieve over the years.”
He cited power accessibility as a clear indicator of the country’s development gains, noting that access to electricity has expanded significantly over the past two decades. According to him, electricity coverage, which stood at about 30 to 40 per cent some 20 years ago, has now risen to nearly 90 per cent or more.
Mr Selassie added that these improvements have translated into better living conditions for many citizens, reflecting broader development outcomes across the country.
He stressed, however, that sustaining this progress would require continued collective effort and sound policy choices.
Despite the positive assessment, the IMF official cautioned that Ghana still faces notable challenges, particularly in job creation and maintaining economic stability, which he said will be crucial to securing long-term, inclusive growth.
