The payment represents two instalments of Canadas' total five-year CAD…93million[approx.651 billion cedis'] commitment to the Multi Donor Budgetary Support Program for the implementation of Ghanas' Poverty Reduction Strategy [GPRS] Canada contribute to this program which encourages Ghanaian ownership and leadership as greater. harmonization among participating donors. It reflects the desire of Canada to strengthen the effective of its funding.

'We feel that Ghanas' implementation of its' policies and priorities to support growth and poverty reduction has gone well this year,' said Minister Carroll 'We are looking forward to more progress and to stronger financial management and public sector reform.

The Honourable Kwodwo Baah -Wiredu, Minister of Finace and Economic Planning, acknowledged with gratitude, the significant support being provided by Canada to Ghana's efforts at reducing the poverty of the people. He emphasized the governments' resolve and datermination to effectively and prudently utilize all he resources which Canada is providing .

He also reiterated Ghanas' expectation for total debt cancellation and the opportunity it would offer to quicken the peace of its development programmes.

Ultimately, Canada and Ghana expect that the implementation of he GPRS will alleviate poverty, increasing the incomes and improving the living conditions and prospects of Ghanas 'poor-persons living at susbsistence level or below .

Recognition that appropriate economic growth will be required to reduce poverty is an important component of the new GPRS strategy.

Ghana was selected as as a country of cocentration for Canadas 'bilateral development assistance programme in 2002. his preferred relationship was confirmed in April2005 when Ghana was named as one 25 key bilateral development partners world wide in Canadas' International Policy Statement.

Since 2001, Canadas bilateral assistance budget for Ghana has more than quadrupled to ….55.8 million in2005/06.