IMF bailout will not affect Free SHS and Agenda 111 – Finance Ministry
The Finance Ministry has allayed the fears of Ghanaians that the government’s flagship programmes like the free SHS policy, and Agenda 111 among others, will be cancelled following the government’s decision to seek an IMF bailout.
It indicated that government will see to it that pro-poor policies are not affected by the IMF conditionalities.
Last Friday, Government revealed its plans to seek help from the IMF after home-grown solutions could not yield positive results.
A document titled Frequently Asked Questions As Government Engages the IMF for a possible bailout said key flagship programmes such as the Free SHS policy, Agenda 111, among others will not be tampered with.
The document explains and states that the Free SHS policy, among others, are good social intervention programme.
It also assured that revenue-generating avenues like E-levy will be maintained adding that despite its underperformance, the government has been reviewing its implementation strategy to minimise evasion of the tax.
The government also allayed fears that the IMF programme will affect employment in the public sector.
“The IMF works with member countries to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity by supporting economic policies and programmes that promote financial stability and monetary cooperation, which are essential to increase productivity, job creation and well-being.”
