Mahama, IFC boss discuss Ghana's plans to boost agriculture, infrastructure and jobs

President John Dramani Mahama has held discussions with the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Makhtar Diop, on measures to deepen collaboration and support Ghana’s economic transformation.

The meeting focused on commercial agriculture, industrialisation, infrastructure development and investments in key sectors of the economy.

President Mahama said the discussions also covered financing secured through collaboration with the World Bank to end the double-track system in Senior High Schools (SHSs) by the end of 2027.

“Our discussions focused on deepening our strategic partnership to transform Ghana’s economy, with a strong emphasis on boosting commercial agriculture production in cocoa, oil palm, and poultry," the President wrote in a social media post on Thursday, September 17.

According to the President, the government reaffirmed its commitment to processing at least 50% of Ghana’s cocoa, farm produce and mineral resources locally.

He said the policy is intended to promote industrialisation, create jobs and increase value addition to the country’s natural resources.

The two sides also explored opportunities under the government’s Big Push programme, particularly in railway, aviation and road infrastructure.

President Mahama said the programme would be complemented by investments in energy, digital connectivity and education.

President Mahama also pointed to recent economic indicators, saying inflation and national indebtedness were declining while investor confidence was recovering.

He attributed the developments to what he described as prudent economic management and fiscal discipline following the economic difficulties inherited by his administration.