The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mrs. Christine Lagarde is scheduled to visit Ghana from December 16 to 18 as part of her four nation tour of Africa, a deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide has announced.
According to him, the visits comes weeks ahead of the country’s conclusion of its three-year programme with the Fund and marked an appreciation of Ghana’s policy direction and economic fundamental.
“Aside from showing the world that doing business with us is a move in the right direction, the visit of Madame Lagarde has the potential to unlock for us as a nation good coupon rates on the international bond market,” he said.
Mr Hadzide who disclosed this at the Wednesday edition of the Bi-weekly Media Briefings organised by the ministry in Accra on Wednesday said as part of her itinerary to Ghana, the IMF boss would participate in the Future of Work in Sub-Saharan Africa Conference scheduled in Accra on December 17.
He explained that the objective of the conference was to generate a debate on the future of work in sub-Saharan Africa and the policies required creating jobs for the continent’s growing population.
“How the region can manage and leverage the impact of technological change, demographics, climate change, and the course of globalisation,” he emphasised.
Mr Hadzide noted that Mrs Lagarde would on the same day also hold bilateral talks with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubille House, before proceeding to also have lunch with some selected women entrepreneurs doing well in their field of work.
“On Tuesday December 18, the IMF Managing Director will give a key note address at a forum in Accra to be attended by government agencies, central bank, private sector, think tanks, civil society, NGOs and academia,” he added.
By Cliff Ekuful
