Accra: Paschal Donohoe, the Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, has reiterated the institution's dedication to aiding Ghana in its economic recovery, job creation, and long-term development. Mr. Donohoe made this assurance following his three-day official visit to Ghana, where he engaged with key government officials and stakeholders.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Donohoe met with President John Dramani Mahama, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, among others. A statement issued by the World Bank highlighted that discussions during the visit focused on advancing reforms aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The delegation accompanying Mr. Donohoe included Marina Wes, Director of Strategy and Operations for the Western and Central Africa Region; Robert Taliercio O'Brien, Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone; Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC Division Director for West Africa Gulf of Guinea; and Kyle Kelhofer, IFC Senior Country Manager for Ghana and Liberia.
During a meeting with the Finance Minister, Mr. Donohoe commended the Ghanaian government's progress in stabilizing the economy and restoring fiscal discipline. He noted the improvement in the nation's finances, while emphasizing the need to sustain these achievements. Dr. Forson pointed out youth unemployment as a significant national challenge, highlighting that public sector jobs alone are insufficient to accommodate the growing youth population. He underscored the importance of policies that drive private sector-led job creation across key economic sectors.
The statement indicated that the World Bank plans to conduct a Jobs and Growth Analysis to identify priority sectors for employment expansion. A notable highlight of Mr. Donohoe's visit was the confirmation of a 300 million US dollar commitment to Ghana's secondary education sector through the STARR-J programme. This announcement was made during a joint visit to the Armed Forces Senior High Technical School at Burma Camp in Accra. The programme aims to support the rehabilitation and expansion of senior high schools, as well as technical and vocational education and training institutions. It will focus on providing practical, job-relevant skills training to better prepare students for the job market.
At the University of Ghana, Mr. Donohoe called for enhanced collaboration between academia and industry to address skills mismatches. He encouraged employers to take a more active role in shaping curricula to ensure graduates acquire relevant skills for employment. The delegation also visited a rooftop solar installation by LMI Holdings at the Tema Free Zones enclave, emphasizing the significance of private investment in clean energy development. Mr. Donohoe reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to supporting reforms that promote job creation, strengthen institutions, and foster inclusive growth in Ghana.
Mr. Kojo Aduhene, Chairman of LMI Holdings, advocated for regulatory reforms to eliminate structural barriers hindering large-scale private solar investment. He identified gaps in power wheeling rules and standardized power purchase agreement terms as specific constraints needing attention.