General News of Friday, 3 February 2012

Source: GNA

President asks World Bank to harmonise needs of Ghanaians

Accra, Feb. 3, GNA- President John Evans Atta Mills has asked the World Bank for wider consultation on development programmes and fashion out interventions that would largely satisfy the needs of the people.

He noted there were situations where what the bank had listed some top priorities for the people, which were not what they needed most, resulting in civil disagreements.

President Mills however commended the Bank, a Breton Wood institution, for its assistance, saying it should be possible for Ghana to rely on the bank in times of great need.

President Mills made the call on Friday when a delegation of Executive Directors of the Bank, led by Ingrid Hoven, from Germany, on a four-day visit to Ghana paid a country call on him at the Osu Castle in Accra.

He thanked the Bank for its assistance in a number of areas in the Ghanaian economy over the years, adding that the financial entity came to Ghana’s assistance in recent times of difficulty.

President Mills said Government would continue to collaborate with the World Bank for mutually benefits.

He reiterated the need for people in public office to make the raising of the standard of living of the people their concern.

Ms Hoven commended Ghana for her recent economic gains.

She said the team is in Ghana to assess progress of World Bank assisted projects.

It had visited Tamale and had also held discussions with officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.