COOPER INVEEN and RACHEL SAVAGE Hundreds took to the streets of Ghana's capital Accra last week to protest over its deteriorating economy. Days later, the government of one of West Africa's most prosperous nations announced it would begin formal talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support. It was a decision many analysts long thought inevitable, despite repeated pledges from finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta to never again seek IMF assistance. Why did the country reverse course, and what could the IMF demand in return? WHY NOW? Inflation hit an 18-year high of 27.6% in May, capping off a year…