IMF meddling in Ghana’s politics, must be called to order – Dafeamekpor

Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi Member of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has launched a strong attack on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), accusing the global financial institution of crossing the line into Ghana’s domestic political affairs.

According to the lawmaker, the IMF’s recent comments on political influence in appointments to the boards and executive positions of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) go beyond the organisation’s mandate.

Dafeamekpor insists that the Fund must be called to order and respect Ghana’s constitutional and legal framework governing public appointments.

His comments come after an IMF Technical Assistance Report published in July 2026 raised concerns about political considerations in the selection of board members and executives of major SOEs.

‘They are completely out of order’

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, September 11, Dafeamekpor accused the IMF of showing what he described as an anti-NDC posture.

“The IMF has been out against the NDC for some time and I think that it is time we call them to order. They are completely out of order,” he said.

He argued that Ghana has its own constitutional and institutional processes for appointing individuals to public boards and that the IMF should not dictate who is qualified to serve based solely on political affiliation.

Political affiliation does not mean incompetence

Dafeamekpor defended the government’s appointments, stressing that belonging to a political party does not automatically disqualify an individual from serving on a public board.

For him, the critical considerations should be qualifications, competence, experience and the ability of an appointee to deliver on the responsibilities of the position.

He cited the leadership of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) as an example, arguing that individuals with political backgrounds can still effectively manage public institutions when they possess the necessary expertise.

‘They are beginning to meddle in our internal politics’

The Majority Chief Whip went further to question the IMF’s involvement in Ghana’s governance arrangements.

He accused the organisation of beginning to “meddle” in Ghana’s internal politics and suggested that the IMF Country Director’s conduct had contributed to a loss of trust.

“They are beginning to meddle in our internal politics, and I don’t think that, as the supranational organisation, that is what they’ve been brought here to do,” he stated.

Dafeamekpor also alleged that the IMF Country Director has been holding meetings with members of the opposition and suggested that the development raises questions about the Fund’s neutrality.

IMF’s role in Ghana

The IMF remains deeply involved in Ghana’s economic policy discussions. In May 2026, an IMF staff team completed the sixth and final review under Ghana’s Extended Credit Facility arrangement and reached a staff-level agreement with the country on a new 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument.

The Fund has also continued to provide technical assistance on areas including state-owned enterprise fiscal risks, financial oversight, governance and investment implementation.

However, Dafeamekpor believes such economic and technical engagement should not extend into what he considers Ghana’s internal political affairs.

A fresh clash over SOE appointments

The controversy highlights a growing debate over how Ghana should balance political appointments with competence and institutional independence.

While critics of the government’s appointments have raised concerns about political influence within SOEs, Dafeamekpor maintains that political affiliation alone should not be used as a measure of an individual’s suitability for public office.

His latest comments are therefore likely to fuel further debate over the role of international financial institutions in Ghana’s governance and the extent to which their assessments should influence domestic political decisions.

For Dafeamekpor, however, the message is clear: the IMF should focus on its economic mandate and leave Ghana’s political affairs to Ghanaians and the country’s constitutional institutions.