“Gross international reserves stood at 2.7 months of imports in 2018, lower than the three-month rule-of-thumb benchmark and the norm of 3.6 months estimated by the model for resource-rich LICs (Lower-Income Countries) with a flexible exchange rate.”
ADVERTISEMENT
IMF report says Ghana’s international reserves low; a reason for cedi depreciation
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has disclosed that Ghana’s foreign exchange reserve level remains relatively low hence, the constant depreciation of the cedi against other foreign currencies.
IMF said this in its country report for the country.
Figures in the report indicate that Ghana’s gross international reserves for 2019 were $5.1 billion, about 2.4 months of imports cover and forecasted to reduce to $5.01 billion in 2020 but increase slightly to $5.06 billion next year. This is equivalent to 2.3 months of import cover.
The report emphasised that Ghana government’s definition of reserves is higher as it includes additional assets such as oil funds that may not meet the requirement of being readily available used in staff’s definition.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Reserves are projected to remain below both benchmarks over the medium term. This low level of reserves would seem to point to an overvaluation of the exchange rate given the central bank’s FX intervention policy," it reiterated.
The Fund’s report added that the nature of Ghana’s economy and the persistent pressure on the exchange rate and international reserves, however, point to a weaker external position than the one predicted by the EBA-lite mode. EBA-lite is External Balance Assessment model that emphasises the need to identify and discuss the contribution of policies to external imbalances.
It, however, said net international reserves are projected to remain stable at about US$3.9 billion thanks in part to the US$3 billion Eurobond issued in March 2019 and other commercial and multilateral borrowing.
“International reserves would remain at about two months of imports but would strengthen in later years as oil and gas exports pick up. This relatively stable outcome is predicated on continued access to markets and refinancing of the large domestic and foreign public debt.”
Meanwhile, Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Report quotes the country’s Gross International Reserves increased by $1.67 billion to $8.093 billion in October 2019 from a stock position of $7.02 billion at the end of December 2018. This was also equivalent to 3.9 months of imports cover compared.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
How to save a life by doing CPR during an emergency
3 reasons most airplanes are painted white
How 1 woman became first lady of 2 different countries — she married 2 presidents
Nana Addo announces government plans to construct 30 Smart Schools this year
Chef Faila says her cook-a-thon attempt helped in fighting drug abuse
Akufo-Addo appoints Herbert Krapa as new ECG board chairman amid dumsor concerns
Locked-up Investment Holders protest in Accra
Myth or truth: Oats make your butt grow big