World Bank MD Praises Finance Minister Ato Forson on Strengthened National Finances During First Africa Visit

The Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank, Mr. Paschal Donohoe, has applauded Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for what he described as the significant improvement in the country’s national finances.

Mr. Donohoe gave the commendation during a meeting with the Minister as part of his inaugural official visit to Africa, where both leaders discussed Ghana’s economic recovery efforts and the next phase of the country’s development strategy.

Dr. Forson noted that the government had spent the past year “resetting the economy” and steering it toward a sustainable path. He acknowledged that while macroeconomic stability has improved, unemployment especially among the youth remains one of Ghana’s most urgent concerns.

According to the Finance Minister, Ghana’s youthful and rapidly expanding population means that public sector jobs alone cannot meet demand, highlighting the need for deliberate policies that stimulate broader job creation. He revealed that the government is rolling out major programmes aimed at sustainably creating jobs and expanding opportunities for young people across the country.

Mr. Donohoe congratulated Dr. Forson on the strides made in restoring financial stability and reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s economic transformation. He emphasized that the Bank stands ready to assist through initiatives such as a comprehensive Jobs and Growth Analysis to help identify new employment pathways and support long-term economic expansion.

Dr. Forson welcomed the strengthened partnership, stressing that collaboration with the World Bank will be crucial as Ghana pushes to create jobs, widen economic opportunities, and build a more prosperous future for its citizens.