Ghana becomes OECD Development Centre member

Ghana became an official OECD Development Centre member on Oct. 6, making it the 50th country to join the organization, which finds policy solutions to promote growth and boost life quality in emerging economies.

Ghana is the second largest economy in Africa, and it is expect to grow 3.9 percent in 2015. Its inclusion into OECD was endorsed in a session attended by John Dramani Mahama, president of Ghana. “In applying to join the Centre, and as we go through today’s ceremony, as President, my satisfaction is the opportunity the Centre offers to share experiences with member states and seek solutions to common problems towards the promotion of growth and development," Mahama told West Africa News.

As a member, Ghana will engage in the OECD Development Centre’s lead initiatives, such as Assessing the Economic Contribution of Labour Migration in Developing Countries as Countries of Destination project, policy dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development, discussions on Global Value Chains, Production Transformation and Development and more.

Mario Pezzini, OECD Development Centre director, enthusiastically welcomed the West African nation, which is now the 9th African member, into the organization. 

"[Ghana’s entry] is a valuable opportunity for mutually beneficial knowledge-sharing. Ghana’s participation in the Centre’s activities will advance our strong ongoing engagement and partnerships with Africa," he said.