Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Acting Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, has left Accra at the head of a three-member government delegation to three countries in East and North Africa to lobby for Dr Kinsley Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The visit is to secure the support of Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Tunisia for Ghana's candidature for the African Development Bank presidency.

A press release signed by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning said while canvassing for support in Tunisia, Ghana's nomination form would be lodged to beat the January 31 deadline.

Other members of the delegation are Mr Fred Laryea, Ghana's Ambassador to Senegal and Mrs Effie Simpson-Ekuban, Chief Economic Officer, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Former Executive Director of the African Development Bank.

The delegation is expected back by February 2 2005.