More than 250 senior level financial sector champions from over 30 countries are expected to meet at the “Partnership Forum for Making Finance Work for Africa” in Accra from June 17 to 18. At the partnership forum, leaders of African and international financial institutions, government officials, central bankers, prominent researchers and international experts would discuss the priorities for developing African financial sectors. A statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning said the Partnership forum reflects the broad range of financial sector opportunities in African economies. “New initiatives to leverage the use of technology like mobile phones or biometrics, new instruments to boost private finance for infrastructure, housing or small and medium enterprises as well as other important themes like financial literacy, corporate social responsibility and regional financial sector integration would take centre stage,” the statement said. It said the partnership Secretariat hosted by the African Development Bank was tasked with coordinating the different stakeholders, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas and promoting the implementation of actions agreed at the partnership forum. The Partnership for Making Finance Work for Africa was supported by a broad range of development partners and financial stakeholders and was welcomed by the G8 in the 2007 Heiligendamm Declaration. The statement said the government of Ghana together with the Ghana Microfinance Institutions Network(GHAMFIN) would also hold a one-day conference dubbed ”Making Finance Work for Ghana(MFW4G)” on June 16 as a prelude to the forum. Over 150 financial experts from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Bank of Ghana and the Private Sector Development Group would discuss “the road to the Second Phase of the Financial Sector Reform (FINSSIP) and beyond.” To address this issue, key questions to be addressed at the event include how to develop the Ghanaian Micro finance and Micro Insurance Sector, reduce lending risks and develop effective consumer education. Both events would challenge participating Government officials, development partners and the Private sector to move beyond business as usual to strengthen African financial sectors, increase access to financial services by all and ultimately generate growth and employment. Source: GNA