Christine Lagarde, the first woman to head the European Central Bank (ECB), announced her departure from the institution on October 29, 2026, after seven years in office.

The French lawyer and politician previously made history as France’s first female finance minister before becoming the first woman to lead the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a position she held from 2011 to 2019.

Lagarde became ECB president in November 2019, taking charge of the institution responsible for monetary policy in the eurozone.

Her last recorded visit to Ghana as IMF Managing Director was from December 16 to 18, 2018, shortly before the country concluded its IMF-supported programme at the end of that year.

During the visit, she held talks with then President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other government officials.

ECB head Christine Lagarde to step down in February

She also participated in a conference on the future of work in sub-Saharan Africa, which examined the region’s economic prospects and employment challenges.

Inside Lagarde’s last visit to Ghana

Lagarde arrived in Ghana on December 16, 2018, and was welcomed by then Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Speaking at a welcome ceremony, she expressed her excitement about visiting the country and looked forward to engaging with the authorities.

“I am very pleased to be in Ghana and to be in Accra and I look forward to a very productive visit with the authorities. I am delighted that Mr. Vice President was able to come and greet me on arrival; it’s very nice of him,” she said.

During her visit, Lagarde met government officials, representatives of civil society and private-sector players, including businesswomen.

She also visited the Purim African Youth Development Platform, an organisation committed to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged girls in Ghana.

Lagarde’s message to Ghana

At the conclusion of her visit on December 18, 2018, Lagarde described her engagements as fruitful and informative, thanking the Ghanaian authorities and the public for their hospitality.

“My visit to Accra has been very fruitful and informative, and I am extremely grateful for the warm hospitality of the people of Ghana,” she said.

She thanked President Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Bawumia, then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Ernest Addison and other officials for their discussions.

Lagarde also commended the Ghanaian authorities for their performance under the IMF-supported programme but urged them to address outstanding economic challenges.

These included high public debt, fiscal risks associated with the energy and financial sectors, and governance concerns.

She stressed the need to increase domestic revenue mobilisation, preserve financial stability and improve the management of the energy sector, noting that responsible policies in these areas would help strengthen investor confidence.

Lagarde departed Ghana on December 18, 2018, for Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of a four-country tour of Africa.

JKB/VPO

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