More than 250 senior level financial sector champions, from over 30 countries, are expected to meet at the "Partnership Forum for Making Finance Work for Africa," in Accra from June 17 to 18.

At the partnership forum, leaders of African and international financial institutions, government officials, central bankers, prominent researchers and international experts would discuss the priorities for developing African financial sectors.

A statement, issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, said the Partnership Forum reflects the broad range of financial sector opportunities in African economies.

"New initiatives to leverage the use of technology, like mobile phones or biometrics, new instruments to boost private finance for infrastructure, housing or small and medium enterprises, as well as other important themes like financial literacy, corporate social responsibility and regional financial sector integration, would take centre stage," the statement said.

It said the Partnership Secretariat, hosted by the African Development Bank, was tasked with coordinating the different stakeholders, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas, and promoting the implementation of actions, agreed at the partnership forum.

The Partnership for Making Finance Work for Africa was supported by a broad range of development partners, and financial stakeholders and was welcomed by the G8 in the 2007 Heiligendamm Declaration.

The statement said the Government of Ghana, together with the Ghana Microfinance Institutions Network (GHAMFIN), would also hold a one-day conference, dubbed "Making Finance Work for Ghana (MFW4G)" on June 16, as a prelude to the forum.