Ghana’s debt stock balloons to ₵575.5bn

As of June 2023, Ghana's public debt has risen to GH₵575.5 billion, equivalent to 71.9% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), marking a slight increase from the GH₵569.2 billion recorded in April 2023.
This signifies a cumulative increase of GH₵6.3 billion in the country's public debt since April 2023, according to the Bank of Ghana's Summary of Economic and Financial Data for September 2023.
In terms of US dollars, the total debt stock amounted to US$52.3 billion by June 2023.
The breakdown reveals that external debt accounted for GH₵328.6 billion (equivalent to US$29.9 billion), while domestic debt stood at GH₵246.9 billion (approximately US$30.8 billion).
The external debt increased by GH₵7.3 billion compared to the April 2023 figure of GH₵321.3 billion, while domestic debt saw a slight decrease from GH₵247.9 billion to GH₵246.9 billion during the same period.
In contrast, the nominal GDP remained at GH₵800.9 billion as of June 2023, maintaining its level since January 2023 but showing growth from the GH₵610.2 billion recorded in June 2022.
Ghana remains the most indebted country to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Africa, with its loan to the Fund increasing by 35.3% in the second quarter of 2023, according to the IMF's Quarterly Finances report for July 2023.
As of July 31, 2023, Ghana's outstanding loans to the IMF stood at Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 1.689 billion, equivalent to $2.227 billion.
This marks a significant increase of $451 million SDR compared to the figure of 1.246 billion SDR recorded on April 30, 2023.
Ghana had sought and received a $600 million bailout package from the IMF in June 2023 to address fiscal challenges and rejuvenate its economy.
The country's outstanding loan to the IMF accounts for 9.55% of Africa's total of SDR 17.68 billion.
Additionally, Ghana had made a repayment of SDR 8 million, approximately $10.55 million, to the IMF.
Ghana's loan exposure to the IMF is classified as concessional lending, characterised by low-interest financing.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya have maintained their second and third positions, respectively, with the largest outstanding loans to the IMF as of July 31, 2023. DR Congo owed the IMF SDR 1.142 billion, while Kenya's debt to the Fund amounted to SDR 1.008 billion.
Both countries received disbursements of SDR 153 million and SDR 77 million, respectively, to support their balance of payments.
Sudan and Uganda also retained their fourth and fifth positions, respectively, with their exposure to the IMF estimated at SDR 992 million and SDR 812 million.
Uganda received a disbursement of SDR 91 million to bolster its fiscal economy.
In total, the rest of Africa collectively owed the IMF an amount of SDR 11.32 billion.
Source: Classfmonline.com
Trending Business
Organised Labour demands overhaul of minimum wage formula
01:40GIPC boss stresses cybersecurity as key to investor confidence and economic growth
01:27Regulatory costs threatens job creation, SME expansion in Ghana: ILAPI and FUNDALIB warn
02:51GIPC pledges support to Guinness Ghana amid rising illegal imports
04:36World Bank disburses $360m to support Ghana’s economic recovery and resilience
03:48President Mahama: Nkoko Nketenkete project to launch in Oct
19:01V/R: AGI marks 30 years with bold vision for 24-hour economy
13:48NEIP, MoFA partner to support agric entrepreneurs under 'Adwumawura' programme
16:41Ga East Assembly holds departmental budget hearing for 2026 fiscal year
10:15Chief of Staff reaffirms gov't’s commitment to 24-hour economy at BoG workshop
03:29