IDA to support country's poverty reduction efforts

Backpage June 13, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Parliament yesterday approved a $100million loan agreement between the government and the International Development Association (IDA) to support the country's poverty reduction.
Known as the Sixth Poverty Reduction Support Credit, the loan is to support the implementation of the 2008 Budget and contribute to the attainment of of key macro-economic targets outlined in the budget.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, moved the motion for the approval of the loan and he was seconded by the Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Mr P.C Appiah-Ofori.
In a report on the loan, the Finance Committee of of the House noted that as a precedent for the credit, the government had implemented measures aimed at growing the economy and reducing poverty.
Contributing to the discussion for the approval of the loan, MPs from both sides of the House called on the government to use the amount for the intended purposeto ensure the attainment of set targets.
IN another development, the House also approved a 5,383,822.22 euro loan between the government and the Government of Belgium for the second phase of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Project (CLIP).
The loan became necessary because of the deplorable state of clinical laboratories and lack of diagnostic equipment and technical facilities.
The CLIP has, therefore, been designed to help address the problem to improve standards of public laboratories in the country.
In his contribution, the MP for Wa West, Mr Yieleh Chireh, said that even though the amount was small and could have been raised internally, it would help to improve laboratory services in the beneficiary hospitals.
Mr P.C Appiah-Ofori who presented the report of the Finance Committee, stated that an efficient diagonosis of diseases in the districts would enhance health care in the country.