African countries have agreed to push for more representation and voting rights in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the next meeting of these institutions scheduled to hold in Singapore next month.

The African Caucus made up of African Ministers of Finance and Economic Development met in Maputo, Mozambique, last week resolving to increase their relevance in the decision making process of the multilateral development organizations.

During the next meeting of the "Bretton Woods Institutions" in Singapore, the voting powers of China, Korea and Mexico will be increased from 10 to 15 percent. This will consequently shrink Africa's voting powers from 5 percent to 2.1 percent. The ministers resolved at the meeting that while they would not kick against increasing the voting powers of other countries, they will demand that Africa should not be made to pay the price. Minister of Finance, Mrs. Nenadi Usman, in her contributions, called for the interventio n of the African political leadership through the African Union, so as to enhance the votes of African countries in these institutions.

The Bretton Wood Institutions are the World Bank, IMF, IFC and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency - MIGA. Mrs. Usman suggested that African Heads of States be called upon to lobby leaders of industrialised nations so as to enhance the voice and representation of Africa in the decision-making process of the Bretton Wood institutions. She argued that since about 50 percent of the World Bank's activities are done in Africa, it was not fair to reduce the influence of the continent in the decision making process of the bank and its other affiliates. Mrs. Usman's position was adopted at the end of the meeting as the best way to tackle the problem. Speaking to newsmen after the opening ceremony of the meeting, Mrs. Usman said: "It is important for Africa as a continent to tackle this problem. Basically, what we want is to be given more voice.

We want more representation in the two Bretton Wood Institutions. If you don't have a voice, it means you can't speak and if you cant speak, then the problems in your heart cannot be solved." She said: "We want two more seats to make a total of four in addition to the current two that Africa has." She however advised that African countries must not necessarily kick against the idea of increasing the voting powers of the other countries, pointing out that some day, the continent will need the support of these countries one way or the other. The IMF's Board of Governors conducts general quota reviews at regular intervals usually every five years. Any changes in quota requires a broad support as they must be approved by an 85 percent majority.

At the meeting in Singapore, Africa's voting powers may further shrink as the voting powers of China and others are increased. Since 1958, the basic votes of Africa in the World Bank and I.M.F have gradually decreased from 15.6% to the c urrent level of 2.1%. The World Bank and the IMF are owned by the countries of the world. Each member country buys its own shares through quota subscriptions which generate most of IMF's financial resources. Each member country of the IMF is assigned a quota based on its contributions and its size in the world economy. At the end of the two-day meeting, the African Caucus recommended that "It is important to stop the erosion of our voice in international institutions such as the BWIs (Bretton Wood Institutions).

A consensus was reached about the importance of requesting political support as we struggle to maintain our Voice in the BWIs. We would include asking the President of the African Union to lobby for the increase of our basic votes." The ministers also welcomed the declaration by the IMF Managing Director to ensure an increase in African IMF staff members from 6 to 8%. They however, insisted that this percentage should continue to grow at all levels. (middle, intermed iate and senior).

The ministers also resolved to "find ways to ease the work load and improve effectiveness of our Executive Directors, perhaps by trying to increase the number of Executive Directors, Alternates, Advisers and other staff in the institutions."