§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions connected with(a) Government and (b) economic development were placed on the Government of Ghana by (i) the IMF and (ii) the World Bank in the last five years. [101976]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 9 December 1999]: The conditions connected with Government and economic development which have been agreed between the Government of Ghana and the IMF and World Bank in the last five years are intended to promote policies that reduce poverty, promote structural reform, macroeconomic stability and support balanced growth. Conditions refer to agreed objectives to;
improve fiscal policies
enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy and accelerate financial sector reform
improve external debt management and trade policy continue public sector reform
improve private sector development and economic competitiveness.
Other major objectives and conditions relate to the Government of Ghana's policies and commitments to implement agreed sector and cross sectoral reforms (e.g. in agriculture, environment, water, transportation, electricity, petroleum sector), to improve the quality and coverage of social services (education, health) and to reduce poverty.