Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson leads Ghana's delegation to IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is leading Ghana’s delegation to the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand, as the government prepares to shift from economic stabilisation to a new phase of sustained growth and transformation.

The meetings, scheduled for October 12 to 18, come at a critical time for Ghana, with the government preparing to introduce its proposed New Economy blueprint as part of the 2027 Budget.

The policy framework is expected to outline the government’s priorities for the next phase of economic development, building on efforts to restore macroeconomic stability and strengthen the country’s fiscal position.

Dr. Forson is expected to use the Bangkok engagements to hold bilateral meetings and participate in multilateral discussions with global economic leaders, finance ministers, senior officials of international financial institutions and development partners.

His programme includes engagements with the leadership of the IMF, senior officials of the World Bank and representatives of other multilateral institutions.

The discussions are expected to provide an opportunity for Ghana to exchange views on economic policy, development financing and strategies for achieving sustainable growth.

The Finance Minister’s participation in the meetings comes ahead of the presentation of the 2027 Budget, in which the government is expected to provide further details of its New Economy blueprint.

The proposed framework is intended to guide Ghana’s next phase of economic development, with an emphasis on translating recent stabilisation efforts into sustained growth and long-term transformation.

The 2027 Budget is expected to outline the policies, programmes and fiscal measures through which the government intends to pursue its development objectives.

The New Economy agenda therefore represents an important part of the government’s broader economic policy direction, particularly as policymakers seek to consolidate recent gains and address the structural challenges facing the economy.

During his presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review, Dr. Forson underscored the distinction between restoring economic stability and achieving lasting development.

“Stabilization was never the destination. It was the price of entry,” he stated.

The remarks reflect the government's stated intention to move beyond immediate economic recovery and focus on building a more resilient and productive economy.

In Bangkok, Dr. Forson is expected to engage the IMF and World Bank leadership, alongside other international financial and development partners.

Such engagements provide opportunities for participating countries to discuss economic performance, financing arrangements, development priorities and the international economic outlook.

For Ghana, the meetings come amid assessments by the Bretton Woods institutions of the country’s progress in restoring economic stability following the economic crisis that emerged in 2022.

The recovery process has involved efforts to address fiscal pressures, improve macroeconomic conditions and rebuild confidence in the economy.

The government’s next challenge is to sustain those improvements while creating conditions for stronger economic activity, investment and employment.

The discussions in Bangkok are expected to form part of Ghana’s broader engagement with international partners as it pursues its economic and development objectives.

The 2026 gathering marks the first IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings to be held outside Washington, D.C., since Dr. Forson assumed office as Finance Minister in 2025.

The meetings bring together finance ministers, central bank governors, development officials and other stakeholders to discuss major issues affecting the global economy and international financial system.

For Ghana, participation provides an opportunity to present its economic priorities, strengthen engagement with development partners and exchange policy perspectives with other countries.

The timing is particularly significant as the government prepares the 2027 Budget and develops the policy direction it intends to pursue after the stabilisation phase.

Ghana’s participation in the Bangkok meetings comes at a point when the government is seeking to consolidate its economic recovery and establish a foundation for long-term development.

While stabilisation remains important to maintaining economic confidence, the government’s proposed New Economy blueprint is expected to focus attention on the next stage of the country’s economic transformation.

The effectiveness of that transition will depend on the policies ultimately adopted, their implementation and the government’s ability to sustain economic improvements while addressing development needs.

The 2027 Budget is expected to provide a clearer picture of how the administration intends to translate its economic ambitions into concrete measures.

As Dr. Forson leads Ghana’s delegation to the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, the Bangkok engagements offer an opportunity to discuss the country’s recovery and development priorities with international partners ahead of the government’s next major fiscal policy announcement.