Civil society leaders in Ghana have honoured the outgoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative, Dr. Leandro Medina, with a farewell lunch in Accra.
The event, organised by the Economic Governance Platform (EGP), recognised Dr. Medina’s contributions to fostering transparency and dialogue between the IMF and Ghana’s civil society during the implementation of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, approved in May 2023.
Speakers at the event highlighted Dr. Medina’s open-door approach and willingness to engage with civil society even during times of disagreement.
“We have, at times, disagreed openly with the IMF, but you never closed the door on engagement. These interactions have sharpened our thinking and practice,” one civil society leader remarked, adding that his tenure coincided with improving macroeconomic indicators in Ghana.
Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), praised him for building upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, Mr. Albert Touna Mama, ensuring continuity in civil society engagement.
Dr. Medina’s tenure was marked by deliberate efforts to include civic voices in policy discussions. For instance, civil society groups were the first stakeholders to meet IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during her first official visit to Ghana.
Mr. AbdulKarim Mohammed, Coordinator of the EGP, commended his openness:
“As CSOs, we have enjoyed a very cordial relationship with you. Your commitment to include our perspectives in IMF-related discussions is deeply appreciated.”
Similarly, Mr. Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), noted that Dr. Medina consistently prioritised civil society input during every ECF review mission, ensuring space for dialogue and meaningful contributions.
In his farewell remarks, Dr. Medina expressed gratitude for the partnership with Ghana’s civil society:
“I believe effective collaboration does not require agreement on every issue. Even in our differences, we found common ground to advance Ghana’s economic progress.”
The event reaffirmed the importance of ongoing dialogue between international financial institutions and local stakeholders, particularly in shaping Ghana’s economic recovery efforts.
The farewell lunch brought together leading civil society and academic figures, including:
- Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement, CDD-Ghana
- Mr. Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director, ACEP
- Mrs. Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director, Transparency International Ghana
- Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary, GACC
- Dr. Steve Manteaw, Chairman, Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas (CSPOG)
- Mr. AbdulKarim Mohammed and Mr. Ebenezer Otu Okley, EGP facilitators
The farewell lunch for Dr. Medina was more than a celebration of his tenure—it was a recognition of the power of collaboration. His legacy of inclusivity and open engagement sets a strong precedent for continued dialogue between the IMF and Ghana’s civil society.
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