I received NO award from IMF -Osafo-Marfo

Accra, Oct. 25, The Insight -- Mr. Yaw Osafo-Marfo, Minister of Finance has broken his very long silence over whether or not the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given him an award as the best Finance Minister in Africa. In an interview with “Adom FM” Mr. Marfo confirmed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not given him any award. He also said that African Finance Ministers did not vote to choose him as the best Finance Minister in Africa. Mr Marfo said the award in question was given to him by a newspaper as far back as August, 2004. He said although African Finance Ministers did not vote to choose him as the best Finance Minister many of his colleagues have been sending congratulatory messages to him. Mr. Marfo's statements put the Minister for Information, Nana Akomea in very bad light. This is because Nana Akomea had told Peace FM that African Finance Ministers met in Washington and voted for Mr. Marfo as Africa's best Finance Minister. Mr. Marfo also admitted that he was not at a meeting of the G24, a group of 24 third world countries which reviewed trends in the global economy. He explained that Ghana had to be represented by Dr. Paul Acquah, Governor of the Bank of Ghana because he was engaged in bi-lateral negotiations with officials of both the World Bank and the IMF. He said he also had bilateral discussions with other countries including the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Marfo also admitted that he failed to attend a meeting of HIPC countries because “there was miscommunication.” He said he was satisfied with the performance of the Ghanaian economy and was not surprised when a newspaper wrote to him giving him the award.