The Managing Director for Operations at the World Bank, Ms. Anna Bjerde is in Ghana for a three-day working visit. The visit began on July 12 and is billed to end on July 15 with a focus on how to aid the nation’s efforts to recover economically.
Ms Bjerde would meet with Ghanaian officials to discuss macroeconomic issues, including the country’s ongoing US$3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan support programme.
Debt restructuring and structural reforms, as well as energy sector issues, would also be discussed in order to accelerate Ghana’s medium to long-term sustainable economic growth.
Her first visit to the country since her appointment as MD on April 3, 2023, will include meetings with President Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as well as Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister.
She would also visit World Bank-funded projects at the Accra Digital Centre, such as the Ghana Accountability and Learning Outcomes Project, Ghana Tech Hub, and Ghana Innovation Hub.
The World Bank has been present in Ghana since 1957 and currently manages a $3.6 billion portfolio of 21 projects.
The portfolio is divided into several sectors, with the largest investments in urban resilience and land (17%), health, nutrition, and population (16%), finance and competitiveness (14%), social protection and jobs (12%), and digital development (11%).
Her current office is in charge of developing groundbreaking analytical work that informs policy reforms, priority investments, technical assistance, and targeted poverty reduction.
The World Bank’s operations are based on a country-based model and are focused on poverty reduction, equitable growth, and climate change.
Bjerde was the Vice President for Europe and Central Asia before becoming the Managing Director of Operations.
She was in charge of the World Bank’s efforts to guide the region through a series of overlapping global shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, natural disasters, and the Bank’s large-scale response to Ukraine.
She previously served as Director of Strategy and Operations for the Middle East and North Africa region.
Between 2015 and 2018, she oversaw the World Bank’s Sustainable Development strategies, lending, and analytical work across all regions.
Between 2011 and 2013, she was in charge of the World Bank’s operations in Africa for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure.
Bjerde, who has a Master’s degree in Business and Economics from the University of Stockholm, has over 30 years of experience in inclusive growth and the development of sustainable infrastructure.
