Osafo-Marfo In Washington DC

Accra, April 21, GNA - Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, is in Washington at the head of a six-member government delegation to the 2004 World Bank IMF Spring Meetings. The meetings are scheduled to run from April 22 to May 1. Mr Osafo-Maafo who is already in Washington has met with top United States government officials on the Millennium Challenge Account prior to the World Bank IMF meetings.

Other members of the delegation who are yet to leave Accra are Dr Anthony Akoto-Osei, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (Budget) Mr Mike Ayesu, Head, World Bank Desk, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr K.B. Oku-Afari, Principal Economic Officer, Policy Analysis Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. The rest are, Mrs Yvonne Quansah, Head, Aid and Debt Management Unit and Mrs Stella Williams Economics Officer, all of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

The main objective of the Spring meetings according to the Ministry of Finance is to review progress on bilateral programmes and agree on future strategy plans.

"The delegation would also take advantage of the trip to hold discussions with the IMF officials on Ghana's economic restructuring programme."

"They will also discuss with the World bank outstanding issues on other projects in the portfolio."

The delegation is also expected to continue negotiations on the Second Review of Ghana's Poverty Reduction and Growth arrangement with the Staff of the two Brenton Woods institutions.