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World Bank and IMF
pledge to assist improve economy
From: Nana Kodjo Jehu-Appiah, GNA Special
Correspondent, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Jan. 3, GNA - The World Bank (WB) and International
Monetary Fund (IMF), have pledged their support to the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC) to strengthen the economy to
ensure micro stability.
Officials of the two institutions attending the on-going 12th
Ordinary Session of African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of
State and Government, gave the assurance during a meeting with
Vice President John Dramani Mahama, who led Ghana’s delegation
to the summit.
It is under the theme: "Infrastructure Development in Africa".
They pledged to focus their assistance on development projects
that would be prioritised by the government, while IMF in
addition, was interested in fiscal policies of the NDC.
Mr Mahama told journalists that the IMF mission in Ghana would
meet with the government economic team in Accra, to boost the
health of the economy.
He said Ghana was enjoying a lot of international support due to
the country's constitutional governance.
Mr Mahama interacted with some Heads of State from the AU, who
congratulated President John Evans Atta Mills for his election
and the smooth transition in the country.
He said Government would not victimise any public official who
served in the NPP administration, except those found culpable.
This he said, was in line with a convention President Mills
wanted to establish to guide the country's transitional period.
Mr Mahama said Government was determined to reform the revenue
sector of the economy through interventions like the
introduction of Information, Communication and Technology to
eliminate waste and leakages.
He said 40 per cent of the national budget went to waste due to
mismanagement of national resources and lack of value for money.
Mr Mahama said Ghana had received assurance from bilateral
institutions to improve on the tax net.
He said a government delegation from China promised to offer
five million dollars to support any programme of her choice.
The US has also pledged technical assistance to the Ghana Army
to promote peacekeeping in Darfur as part of a bilateral
collaboration in foreign policy issues.
Mr Mahama at a meeting with an Iranian delegation, called on the
Islamic state to use their expertise in the oil industry to
train Ghanaians to manage Ghana's oil find.
He also appealed for support in the agricultural sector.
Mr Mahama was optimistic that the proposed Savannah Accelerated
Authority being proposed by Government, would help turn the
fortunes of the North around and eliminate poverty.
He described the appointment of Libyan Leader, Muammar Gaddafi
as Chairman of AU as appropriate, since the mandate fell on
North Africa.
Meanwhile Mr Mahama, had toured the proposed site for the
construction of a Chancery for Ghana's permanent mission in
Ethiopia and pledged to ensure the project was implemented.
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