22 December 2006. The newly appointed head of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group's Country Office in Ghana presented his official letter of introduction to Hon. the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, in Accra, on Thursday. The Office has been operational since the beginning of December when Mr. Mukete held his first meeting with the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Honourable Baah-Wiredu on his arrival in Accra.

In welcoming Mr. Mukete, Hon. Osei-Adjei said that the opening of the office was timely, as Ghana needs not only the Bank?s financial support, but also its counsel, ?as no one man is the depository of wisdom?. He lauded the excellent relationship between Ghana and Bank and invited Mr. Mukete to meet Hon. Nana Akuffo-Addo, when he returns to Accra from an official mission abroad.

Ghana has had excellent relations and cooperation with the Bank since its inception, as one of its founding members and a major beneficiary of its resources. No visitor to the country can ignore the fact that it has clearly turned the corner and is making commendable progress towards consolidating its macroeconomic stability and achieving a high level of sustainable economic growth, despite the energy crisis. Ghana is a major player in the region and one of the positive role models in Africa. With its progressive leadership, political stability, an industrious population and a dynamic private sector, its economic prospects look very good.

The opening of the Country Office would further strengthen Ghana?s excellent cooperation with the Bank, through deeper country dialogue with the government authorities, the private sector, and civil society. We also expect to see major improvements in the quality of the Bank Group?s portfolio in the country and closer collaboration with all stakeholders and development partners in Ghana.

Mr. Diko Jacob Mukete, is an economist and a lawyer, and has been with the Bank since 1991. In his most recent appointment, he served as Chief Country Economist for Ghana. He holds degrees in Economics and Law from the London School of Economics and St. John?s College, Cambridge University, respectively. He is a member of the Bar of England and Wales and Gray?s Inn. Before joining the African Development Bank he worked for the Cameroon National Investment Corporation.

According to the statement, the establishment of the Country Office is part of the Bank Group's decentralization strategy, approved by its Board of Directors in September 2004 with the objective of strengthening in-country activity and knowledge, conducting dialogue with countries on policy and strategy and acting as a focal point on key aspects of project implementation.

The AfDB Group began its operations in Ghana 1973 and its cumulative commitments in the country currently stand at US$1.2 billion for 77 operations.


Kennedy Fosu
Public Information Center
World Bank Ghana Office