IMF Applauds Ghana’s Power Expansion, Says Living Standards Have Improved

IMF Africa Director Commends Ghana’s Progress in Power Access and Living Standards

January 22,2026

The Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Abebe Aemro Selassie, has praised Ghana for making significant gains in key development areas, particularly in electricity access and improvements in living standards.

Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV and monitored by vistanews on Wednesday, January 21, Mr Selassie said Ghana’s progress should be credited largely to the collective efforts of Ghanaians and their institutions rather than IMF-supported programmes.

“There has been remarkable progress in Ghana, and this is not because of the IMF or its programmes,” he stated. “It is the result of what Ghanaians themselves, governments, businesses, Parliament and civil society have worked hard to achieve over the years.”

He highlighted the country’s expansion in power accessibility as a clear indicator of development success, noting that electricity coverage has risen dramatically over the past two decades. According to him, access to electricity, which stood at about 30 to 40 per cent roughly 20 years ago, has now increased to nearly 90 per cent or more.

Mr Selassie explained that the expansion in power access has contributed significantly to improved living standards, translating into better social and economic outcomes for many citizens across the country.

However, the IMF Africa Director cautioned that sustaining these gains would require continued commitment to sound policies and collective national effort. He noted that Ghana still faces challenges, particularly in job creation and economic stability, which he described as critical to achieving long-term and inclusive growth.

Despite these challenges, he maintained that Ghana’s development progress demonstrates the country’s capacity to deliver meaningful improvements through strong institutions and shared national responsibility.