President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday appealed to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review their economic policies so that their implementation will reflect in the lives of the people.

He said: "It was normal for the two institutions to praise the government on its economic policies though those policies were not in interest of the people.

"Politicians are more concerned about improvement in the lives of the people they serve and not commendation for the implementation of World Bank and IMF policies", President Kufuor said.

He said this when Dr Abass Mirakhor, the IMF Executive Director for Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

The IMF Executive Director for Ghana said the IMF was encouraged by the government's performance to put the economy on an even keel and to improve the lives of the people.

Mr Bredenkamp, Assistant Director, Africa Department and Head of IMF Mission in Ghana, said Ghana's economy was now on a very solid foundation and the 2003 Budget would put the country on a firm footing for growth.

He said the monetary policy was on track, the exchange rate was solid and government was working on a wide range of reforms on the economy.

Mr Bredenkamp said: " I am very optimistic that in subsequent years, Ghana's economy would improve."