Why I�m Not Leading Ghana�s IMF Team � Seth Terkper

The Minister for Finance, Seth Terkper, has explained why he is not leading the Ghanaian team that is set to negotiate a package of technical and financial assistance with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). President John Mahama has tasked former Finance Minister, Kwesi Botchwey, to lead Ghana�s negotiations at the IMF, triggering a flurry of accusations among a section of the public that Terkper had been sidelined. But speaking Monday during a joint interview with Accra-based Citi FM and Radio Gold, Terkper denied having been sidelined, stressing that the role being played by Botchwey should be seen as a sign of teamwork within President Mahama�s administration. According to Terkper, the President has an Advisory Committee and an Economic Management Team chaired by the Vice-President that advise him on economic matters. He said Botchwey had played a similar role when he led Ghana�s negotiations for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA II) compact from the United States of America to improve electricity supply within the country. Botchwey's effort, Terkper said, had not diminished the role of the Minister for Energy, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah. �That�s why I spoke about team work. That�s why I spoke of the job that has to be done. �I see this more as a team effort. It doesn�t mean I will be off the negotiation team. I still need my technical team in the discussions,� Mr Terkper explained.