The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Mr. Sulemana Braimah, has stated that, he is not surprised about the calls for the Finance Minister to be sacked.

According to him, the current state of the economy and the proposed return to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a justification for the calls by a section of aggrieved Ghanaians.

Speaking on the News Review segment of the AM Show on Monday, Mr. Braimah told host, Bernice Abu-Baidoo Lansah, that Ghana's current economic situation is a proof of government's "managerial incompetence."

In his view, the earlier assurances from government about the economy were not from an informed position, given that the country now has to rely on the IMF.

"If you have the Minister of Finance, his deputy and other people telling us there's no way we're going to IMF, and just three months or so or less, we're into IMF, then really are these people the competent people to manage our economy?", he quizzed.

"I'm not surprised that people are calling on the President to fire the Finance Minister. Because this is the same person who said we are not going to the IMF. And within a matter of months, we're into an IMF programme", he added.

On Friday, July 1, hundreds of Ghanaians were in uproar, following the news of government's decision to seek assistance from the IMF.

In a statement by Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, he revealed that President Akufo-Addo has directed the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to engage the Fund for a possible bailout amidst the country's economic challenges.

Subsequently, scores of aggrieved citizens trooped to social media to decry the development.

Some of the agitated citizens proceeded to the IMF's official Facebook page to campaign against any support for Ghana.

"Have you been approached by Ken Ofori Atta? The finance minister of Omofia (Ghana). He will come and do his face mobomobo but odeishe don't mind him. When he comes, tell him to go for MTN Quick loan wai", one of the aggrieved persons commented on an IMF Facebook post.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghanaians-mob-imf-on-facebook-to-campaign-against-akufo-addos-bailout-request/

Meanwhile, a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to arrive in Ghana on Wednesday, July 6 to begin negotiations with government on the economic support it is seeking.

The IMF officials – comprising senior officers from the Fund and local staff – will meet officials of the Finance Ministry, the Economic Management Team and the Presidency during their stay, according to reports.

Among other reasons, their visit to the country would largely involve deliberations on the modalities for a package to support Ghana’s ailing economy.

It is expected that details of the bailout programme and its conditionalities will be made public after several engagements.