Finance Minister Courts World Bank to Set Up Regional Hub in Ghana—–Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is appealing to the World Bank Group to consider Ghana as the host country for its new regional office as part of ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation and unlock greater development financing for the country and the sub-region.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson extended the invitation during a high-level meeting with Mr. Wencai Zhang, Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the World Bank Group, who paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Finance on Friday.
The discussions focused on strategic sectors crucial to Ghana’s transformation agenda: agriculture, transportation, and energy. He stressed the urgent need for enhanced World Bank support in these areas to drive inclusive growth and sustainability.
But perhaps the most significant proposal was his call for the World Bank to establish a regional office in Ghana.
“Our discussions focused on key areas vital to Ghana’s development: agriculture, transportation, and energy. I highlighted the urgent need for support from the World Bank in these sectors and also proposed that the Bank consider establishing a regional office right here in Ghana,” the Minister for Finance indicated.
This move, if materialized, would deepen the country’s growing stature as a hub for development finance and policymaking in West Africa.
Hosting a regional office of the World Bank would not only place Ghana at the center of the Bank’s decision-making process in West Africa but also create increased opportunities for technical assistance, faster project implementation, and greater access to funding across key sectors.
The Finance Minister’s engagement with Mr. Zhang is seen as a significant step towards securing deeper ties with the World Bank and positioning Ghana as a key partner in the Bank’s development agenda for Africa.
Already home to the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana is strategically positioned as a gateway for regional trade and integration.
Establishing a World Bank regional office in Accra would further cement the country’s role as a continental economic hub and boost its influence in shaping Africa’s development agenda.
Last Updated on April 14, 2025 by Senel Media
