As Ghanaians come to terms with the much-taunted HIPC initiative, the IMF/WB are allegedly attempting to infiltrate the day to day running of the nation's finances. As a first step the IMF is said to be making frantic efforts to plant a Ghanaian banker, Mr Paul Acquah as the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, reports The Free Press.

The move has incurred the wrath of some prominent Washington based Ghanaians who see it as a ploy by the IMF to impose their own "conditionalities" on the financial management of the government.

Their fear according to our sources is that Mr Acquah's long absence from home might not put him in good stead to manage the central bank.

Our sources indicated that, Mr. Acquah who has worked for decades with the world body is on the verge of retirement and is reported to be seriously lobbying for the top banking position to enable him enjoy his retirement comfortably at home.

The Ghanaian banker was part of the IMF/WB delegation to the Mini Consultative Grouping meeting held in Accra in May this year. Our information is that his inclusion in the delegation was deliberate to afford him the opportunity to spy the Ghanaian financial sector.

The Free Press says sources close to the Ghanaian community in Washington has confided in it that Mr Acquah is poised to use the impending visit of President Kufuor to the US to establish contacts with presidential aides to enhance his chances of getting the top banking post in the country.