Accra (Greater Accra) 8 March '99

Ghana is to receive from Germany a total of 15 million Deutsche Marks non-repayable grants under three agreements signed in Accra on Monday. Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, signed for Ghana while Dr Winfried Polte, Senior Vice-President of the German Department of Development Loan Co-operation (KFW), signed on behalf of his country. Ghana has so far received assistance totaling 1.1 billion Deutsche Marks, the equivalent of 600 million dollars, from Germany within the framework of a financial co-operation programme. The first grant of 10 million DM is meant for water supplies to poor areas in the Volta and Eastern Regions while the second grant of three million DM is for basic education under which Teacher Training Colleges at Bimbila, Pusiga and Tamale would be rehabilitated. The third grant for two million DM is for the "Study and Expert Fund Four" which is meant to cater for costs in the preparation of various programmes for co-operation matters. In a brief remark, Mr Peprah thanked the German government for its financial assistance which had helped improve the economic status of Ghanaians. Mr Peprah said Ghana has a high profile for assisting investors and urged German companies to take advantage of the enabling environment to do business in the country. Mr Christian Nakonz, German Ambassador in Ghana and Dr Polte said the signing of the agreements underline the successful co-operation between the two countries. The grants marked the implementation of pledges made by the German government during bilateral meetings in 1997, Mr Nakonz said. The next bilateral meeting for 1999-2000 will take place in May 1999 in Accra. Dr Polte said the German-Africa Association would organise a two-day seminar in Hamburg, Germany, from April 28 with the objective of getting German investors interested in Ghana. Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal and Nigeria are expected to attend the seminar where participants will discuss issues on tourism, transport and industry.