Meanwhile, Ghana’s central bank has acquired 13.7 tons of gold to strengthen reserves and aid oil import initiatives. The Ghana Cocoa Board aims to gather USD 800 mln via syndicated loans for 2023-24 bean purchases, with additional IMF support. The bank’s governor expects currency buffers to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the IMF program in 2026. As of August’s end, gross international reserves fell to USD 5.1 bln, representing 2.4 months of import cover, a decrease from USD 7 bln or 3.1 months a year prior.