UTAG members offer their expertise to assist the government in IMF bailout talks.
UTAG bemoans the country's return to the IMF.
To address economic challenges, UTAG requires homegrown solutions.
The IMF team will arrive in Ghana today.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has indicated its willingness to provide technical assistance to the government as it prepares to approach the International Monetary Fund for a bailout program.
The Association stated in a statement issued on July 4 and signed by its President, Professor Solomon Nunoo, that its membership consists of individuals who are among the best and world-class experts across all sectors of the economy.
As a result, UTAG believes that the time has come for the country to rely on its local experts to address the country's economic challenges, adding that "relying on the IMF all the time is not a sustainable way of dealing with our country's economic problems."
"As an Association whose membership includes some of the best and world-class experts across all sectors of our economy, we believe the time has come to comprehensively diagnose the root causes of the recurring problems that always lead us to the IMF and propose solutions that can permanently address the problems," according to a section of the statement.
"UTAG believes that for inclusive and sustainable development in our country, we need homegrown policies developed by homegrown experts and implemented by homegrown practitioners," it added.
"We urge the President and Government to take advantage of the opportunity to visit the IMF this time to engage local experts in the development of a comprehensive program that will serve as the foundation for all future engagements with the IMF."
"In this regard, UTAG is ready to provide technical backstopping support services to the government in order to analyze policy options and develop a program for effective and efficient engagement with the IMF," the statement stated.
Background
On July 1, President Akufo-Addo directed Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to begin formal engagements with the IMF, inviting the Fund to support the government's economic program.
The government's decision has since sparked a heated debate.
Meanwhile, the IMF team is scheduled to arrive in Ghana on July 5 to begin discussions with the government.
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