Ghana Cannot Decide on HIPC Now

The Minister of Finance, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, said on Thursday that the government could not make any pronouncement on whether or not to join the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative before the budget is read on Friday.

He said in a signed statement that this is because of the public interest shown on HIPC and its implications.

The Minister said the delay in the government's decision is also because the technical team, which is currently carrying out a study on the matter, has not completed its work.

HIPC has generated a lot of debate in the country with arguments being advanced for and against Ghana joining.

Britain has led arguments for Ghana to join while the TUC and some political parties are against the idea