Accra: Former Sekondi MP Andrew Egyapa Mercer has come forward to defend the economic decisions made by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, asserting that the administration's critical choices were instrumental in steering Ghana through a particularly challenging economic period.
According to Ghana Web, Mercer's remarks coincided with Ghana's official completion of its IMF Extended Credit Facility programme on Monday, July 27, 2026. In a Facebook post dated July 28, 2026, Mercer, who previously served as the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, emphasized that the Akufo-Addo government inherited an economy under pressure. He noted that the administration successfully implemented reforms that showed signs of recovery prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mercer pointed out that by 2019, Ghana had seen improvements in areas such as economic growth, inflation management, and investor confidence, although these gains were later challenged by global disruptions caused by the pandemic. He commended the government's response to COVID-19, referencing a statement from former President Akufo-Addo: 'We know how to bring the economy back to life. What we do not know is how to bring people back to life.'
Mercer further explained that the decision to expand healthcare capacity and provide support to households and businesses was necessary, despite the resulting fiscal pressures. He stated that Ghana's subsequent move to seek IMF assistance was driven by a mix of domestic fiscal challenges and external shocks, leading to a US$3 billion programme that required difficult reforms.
He concluded by stating that Ghana's exit from the IMF programme should be seen as a national effort that involved successive governments. While acknowledging the current administration's role in concluding the programme, he emphasized the importance of accurately recognizing the contributions of those who made challenging decisions during the crisis.