Rural finance study tour to Ghana
RFSP will organise from 26 to 31 March 2007 a study tour in rural finance
The Ghana Rural Financial Services Project is a successful, comprehensive, nationwide, multi-donor supported project, comprising the reform of the system of rural and community banks, the establishment of an Apex Bank and strengthening of all major players in rural finance.
The participants will learn about all major aspects that make this project successful and will meet with the key players. Representing different backgrounds and experiences, discussions among the participants and with the stakeholders will put everything into perspective.
The study tour will cover legislative and policy issues as well as political, economic and social obstacles, the legal and regulatory framework and supervision, strategic planning, deposit taking and money transfer (remittances) activities, administration and operations, information technology platform, approaches to technical assistance and donor relations and coordination, as demonstrated by the Ghana Rural Financial Services Project.
The program will include a blend of classroom discussions, field trips, and discussions with various project stakeholders and policy makers.
During the study tour, RFSP will:
- Present to participants all important aspect of the development of a sustainable system for rural finance, based on community banking, using a federated approach;
- Provide knowledge and skills to the participants so they can provide appropriate advice to government partners and project teams on issues related to planning and implementing rural finance activities;
- Enable the participants to determine if and how parts of the project or even the complete approach can be replicated in other countries, if deemed valuable.
Expected Participants will be from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Other participants will come from Rural Finance and Agricultural Projects in Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Afganistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria.
For further information, please get in touch with: daniel.mintah@bog.gov.gh and wkasai@hotmail.com
This study tour requires full participation. Participants are expected to arrive in Accra on March 25 and can depart on April 1.