/ 6 May 1999

GHANA-IMF SIGN DEAL

THE International Monetary Fund and Ghana on Monday signed a three-year loan program, with a first tranche of $30 million available immediately, the Fund said. The 1999-2001 program aims to reach economic growth of 6% from 5,6% in 1998, and to beat down inflation to 5% by 2001 from 19,3% last year, the Fund said. Ghana also pledged to liberalize certain key economic sectors including energy and cocoa, privatise state companies and strengthen its banking system.