
Audio By Carbonatix
Ghana and Switzerland on Wednesday signed two financing agreements totalling 13 million dollars to improve energy distribution and promote good financial governance.The agreements were signed by Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Planning and Mr Nicholas Lang, Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, on the sidelines of the ongoing aid effectiveness conference in Accra.Under the deal, 12 million dollars of the amount will be used to implement structural changes in the electricity sector to enhance efficiency and good management, provide the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) with technical support to better carry out its tasks as a regulator of the electricity sector and to expand the national grid in the Central Region to reduce poverty.The second agreement worth one million dollars under the Good Financial Governance Programme will focus on assisting the Tax Policy Unit at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in its efforts to mobilise national resources for financing development programmes.The funding will enable the Tax Policy Unit to better position itself to develop a pro-growth and pro-poor tax policy framework to reduce economic distortions related to taxation and strengthen the domestic resource base."The Swiss support aligns itself with the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project of the World Bank, and presents a case of good practice of donor harmonisation and alignment with the needs of Ghana, which are both important topics of discussion during the week's High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness," Mr Lang said."This trilateral cooperation is another proof of Switzerland's strong intention to reduce transaction cost for all parties concerned and to deliver support as efficiently as possible," he added, in reference to the collaboration of the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) with the German Development Cooperation (GTZ) on financing the Good Financial Programme.Swiss assistance to Ghana is in the areas of macroeconomic support, infrastructure financing as well as trade and private sector promotion.Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance, said extension of electricity through the self-help initiative in communities in the Central Region would promote economic activity and lead to a reduction in poverty.Source: GNA
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Don’t force reconciliation during pregnancy – Counsellor Angie warns amid unresolved trauma
10 minutes -
Libya: Aliou Cisse leaves national team role after salary row
12 minutes -
NRSA declares commercial use of Toyota Voxy illegal
16 minutes -
Police hunt suspects after gunfire triggers chaos at Kotoku Onion Market
19 minutes -
Health Ministry partners private sector to boost public education on safe healthcare practices
30 minutes -
GhIE demands independent audit of GH¢110bn Big Push road programme
31 minutes -
Heavy rainstorm causes power outages in Ashanti Region – ECG
32 minutes -
Abuakwa MP supports constituents to mark Easter celebration
33 minutes -
CAF U-17 AFCON: Ghana handed tricky opponents in Group D
36 minutes -
Manhyia South MP decries unchecked commercialisation of residential areas, warns of extinction
36 minutes -
U-17 AFCON 2026: Ghana drawn in tough group as Black Starlets eye World Cup return
38 minutes -
NRSA recommends strict enforcement of laws banning right-hand drive imports
45 minutes -
‘Don’t belittle our intelligence’ – Methodist Bishop criticises Kwakye Ofosu over LGBTQ comment
45 minutes -
Ghana’s crude oil output declines for 6th consecutive year – PIAC
49 minutes -
$434m in oil revenue allocated to Big Push Programme — PIAC
49 minutes