On Friday, the Information Ministry announced that President Akufo-Addo has directed the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to begin formal engagements with the International Monetary Fund.

The decision has taken many Ghanaians by surprise.

This is because before approaching IMF, the government, on numerous occasions, insisted that a bailout from the Fund is not in its plans to restore fiscal stability in the country.

We. Will not go to the IMF we have the resources 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😂😂😂😂 what has changed now 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣 Addo D

— nii🐆💪✊ (@gh_nii_tilapia) July 1, 2022

In February, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta noted that the repercussion of seeking an IMF bailout will not be favourable for the country’s fortunes.

“Consequences are dire, we are a proud nation, we have the resources, we have the capacity. We are not people of short-sight, but we have to move on."

To this, the e-levy was introduced as a homegrown solution to raise money for the country.

However, Gabby Otchere-Dorko on Wednesday tweeted that the levy has failed to live up to the expectations of the government.

Government is finally going to the IMF for economic intervention after Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta and Nana Addo’s mismanagement.

E-levy, like we have always maintained, was never going to be the remedy. Some common sense is finally prevailing. Exposed! pic.twitter.com/3ZirDUR3b4

— Mr. Ray 🇬🇭 (@TheEdemTamekloe) July 1, 2022

Many Ghanaians have been reacting to the news. Some people are not happy that the government "forced e-levy down the throats" of the public only to seek an IMF bailout.

Others are questioning why the government has changed its decision from no IMF support to an IMF bailout.

See the reactions below:

IMF we have come. Give us money to go and build cathedral so that we can pray for dollars to pay you back 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/YOre154yU4

— Carrie G (@CarrieGlynd) July 1, 2022

Becoming a republic on July 1 and then going to the IMF on July 1 is the most ironic thing ever

— Abdul-Halim (@Abdulhhu) July 1, 2022

@IMFNews please Ghana 🇬🇭 is coming there. Whatever they will say is a lie. The country has it all. We are OK. Ghanaians are happy 😊

— Maanu Daniel Muoviel (@Mr_MeDhat93) July 1, 2022

Why are the NDC happy about government going into the IMF program….. Black man can’t govern itself… At least the NPP tried self believe
I don’t like the NPP but shame on us all … lol

— President Millar (@Millar_27) July 1, 2022

The e levy initiation has become a flop so obviously it has become collateral damage so they have to go to the imf for money. But all that money will be of no better use cos its evident. Ghana is a country that i supposed to manage its affairs on its own. But.... Our leaders 🤦

— BILLY 🐐 (@Street_mag233) July 1, 2022

After forcing E-levy down our necks , Government still runs back to the IMF for support. Akuffo Addo la scam. pic.twitter.com/o7D7irI46V

— ABUBAKAR MAMUDU ALUTIBA (@HonAbu01) July 1, 2022

Finally them get some sense😂😂😂😂😂.
We no go go IMF
We no go go IMF
We no go go IMF is now on way going pic.twitter.com/MQVMFcHPoe

— VybGodd 😋 (@kojovybxx) July 1, 2022

They sent Gabby to come and sweep the way and prepare us for this IMF something lmao why is our govt treating us like we Dey some therapy session.

— Tabs (@_Tabiri) July 1, 2022

@NAkufoAddo is the biggest mistake in our country’s history. His government has been the most useless and corrupt. His hypocrisy and incompetence has brought the country to its knees. Crooks in government #IMF pic.twitter.com/RaTt2C1Gkk

— Fix The Country (@fixthecountry_) July 1, 2022

@MBawumia So after all your talk, it’s IMF huh.🤣🤣🤣🤣

— Kobathedread (@Kobathedread1) July 1, 2022

Government who releases money for cathedral is the same government going for IMF ?
aba bullshit nono ?

— AJ (@adwoaaa) July 1, 2022

Ghana has more than enough money from taxes and our natural resources yet we always have to go to IMF. Where exactly is all the money going to?

— Nungua Cardi B💕 (@ellyserwaaa) July 1, 2022

“We are not going to the IMF, don’t let anyone deceive you”

So what happened? pic.twitter.com/lCWLXacE17

— Cris Cross 🇬🇭💎 (@billchris720) July 1, 2022

We sat in this country and allowed Bawumia & Akufo-Addo to yob we k3k3.

Where's the solid team of economic management? Where's their competence?

IMF austerity coming up after they've lived larged. Scam! Smh.

— C i t i z e n S p e c t a t o r ® 💫 (@x_trailblazer) July 1, 2022

Ahhh so upon all the noise by the NPP , we're still going to the IMF barely 4 years after leaving them.?

E levy | Ghana Card | Republic day | IMF | CAF pic.twitter.com/qZYnF5iccQ

— Boom (@Moskiflow) July 1, 2022

But correct me if I’m wrong; one of the reasons why the E Levy was introduced was to make us not go back to IMF. So if the government is going back IMF why keep E Levy? I think we have a problem with management and structure.

— Kwame Osei-Asante (@kwameoasante) July 1, 2022

They have enriched themselves and their families dirty and they leave the rest of the nation to pay. Ghana us going back to #IMF.
Shame on u @konkrumah @GabbyDarko pic.twitter.com/dnhpwlXLV8

— Kulungugu Warrior (@Kulungugu1) July 1, 2022

Once again, another reckless decision by a reckless government to go to IMF. This will increase the hardship on the people by three fold.

They have mismanaged the economy and are inviting IMF to save them. But IMF in its history has never saved any country. pic.twitter.com/RjpletA18t

— Fighters (@EFLFighters) July 1, 2022

Lmao if we're goin to the IMF, then scrap elevy

— Oseikrom Beyonce 🦋 (@AmaaRayRay) July 1, 2022

Signs have been on the wall for while. It was only pride that was keeping us from the IMF.

— Ohene-Bampoe Brenya (@obbampoegh) July 1, 2022

NPP and NDC what do they have in common, well IMF. Very clueless bunch of political parties and their balance scorecards are the same. Both don’t carry last😜😜🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/J0CzLJwxgy

— Bright Anaafi (@anaafi_bright) July 1, 2022

They’re deleting their IMF related comments. Be bold and stand by them.

— Richmond Rockson (@MrRockson) July 1, 2022

We told them that the E-Levy was not the panacea to all our economic problems but they refused to listen to us. According to this document, Ghana is going back to the IMF with her own home-grown programme. pic.twitter.com/ifWj2eUwg6

— Mohammed Adamu Ramadan,MP (@AdamuRamadan) July 1, 2022

Ghana government going to IMF with Russia Ukraine war crisis mentality 🤣🤣🤣🤣
E-levy stays by the Only King Promise of our time.
God bless our homeland, Ghana.

— Tʜᴏᴍᴘsᴏɴ Oʙᴇʏ Tʜᴇᴏғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢᴢ🇬🇭 (@Theofeelingz) July 1, 2022

Who is now going to the IMF to rescue the economy?
Someone call Bawumia to answer pic.twitter.com/XPRCuiEH5b

— DD Martins (@MrDDMartins) July 1, 2022

Whether we like it or not the IMF Bailout can’t be avoided if we must try to rescue the nation from decay. If we don’t go the economy will further deteriorate & most likely totally collapse.
Why?
Well the money is finished.
Everything has been chopped😁by the Cartels in office

— 👑Nana Qwamena Ansah III™🇬🇭 (@AnsahQwamena) July 1, 2022

Funny how the covid pandemic and the Russian Ukraine war hasn’t led all of Africa to the imf. I guess it only affects certain countries

— Kobathedread (@Kobathedread1) July 1, 2022