Prominent figures from civil society organized a final luncheon to celebrate the departure of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative in Ghana, Dr. Leandro Medina, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
Hosted by the Economic Governance Platform (EGP), the gathering highlighted Dr. Medina’s significant contribution to promoting open dialogue between the IMF and Ghana’s civil society during the implementation of Ghana’s ongoing IMF-backed Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program, which was endorsed in May 2023.
During the goodbye luncheon, Professor Godfred A. Bokpin characterized Dr. Medina as open-minded towards differing opinions. “There were instances when we openly differed from the IMF, yet you always kept the lines of communication open.”
These exchanges have refined our thought processes and approaches. You are departing during a period when Ghana’s economic metrics are starting to show improvement, which reflects the dedication and teamwork witnessed throughout your leadership,” he said.
Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, the Executive Secretary of GACC, further emphasized Dr. Medina’s welcoming methodology, which she noted aligns with that of his forerunners.
“She noted that you upheld and expanded the strong base established by your former colleague, Mr. Albert Touna Mama, making sure that the drive for civil society involvement with the IMF was not just kept alive but further enhanced,” she stated.
The participation of Ghanaian civil society representatives in decision-making processes was evident when CSOs were the initial group engaged by IMF Managing Director Ms. Kristalina Georgieva during her inaugural trip to Ghana earlier this year.
Mr. AbdulKarim Mohammed, who serves as the coordinator for the EGP, praised the IMF official for his transparency and eagerness to participate in discussions.
“As representatives of civil society organizations, we have maintained a highly cooperative relationship with you. We greatly value your dedication to incorporating our viewpoints into conversations related to the IMF,” he stated.
In addition, Mr. Benjamin Boakye, the Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), commended Dr. Medina for always placing emphasis on involving civil society throughout every ECF assessment.
“Prior to each review mission, you guaranteed room for conversations within civil society, and you intentionally worked to link us with other members and personnel from the Fund. This method enhanced our capacity to make substantial contributions to policy debates,” he said.
The departing IMF official thanked Ghana’s civil society for their cooperation, stating, “I appreciate your thoughtful action. Working together has been enjoyable. I think successful teamwork doesn’t always mean agreeing on everything. Despite our disagreements, we managed to find areas of consensus that helped promote Ghana’s economic development. I am willing to keep engaging further, even though I’m moving forward.”
Lunchtime was not just an occasion to honor a productive collaboration but also served as a reminder of the significance of continuous communication among global financial organizations and regional participants.
The closing luncheon brought together notable individuals from Ghana’s civic organizations and academic circles, such as Professor Godfred A. Bokpin, an economics and finance professor at the University of Ghana; Dr. Kojo Asante, who leads advocacy and policy engagement at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana); Mr. Benjamin Boakye, executive director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP); Mrs. Mary Awelana Addah, executive director of Transparency International Ghana (TI Ghana); Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, executive secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC); and Dr. Steve Manteaw, chairman of the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas (CSPOG). The gathering was organized by Mr. AbdulKarim Mohammed and Mr. Ebenezer Otu Okley, serving as coordinator and programmes officer of the EGP, respectively.
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