Ghana, the second largest economy in West Africa, on Tuesday became the 50th member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)Development Centre.

This is contained in a statement by OECD obtained in Lagos.

It said that Ghana’s entry into the OECD Development Centre marked a significant stride in support of the country’s inclusive growth and development strategy.

It believed that the feat would also deepen the Centre’s global representativeness and institutional cooperation with pan-African arenas as it welcomed its 9th African member country.

“The second largest economy in West Africa, Ghana has experienced solid growth over the last three decades.

“ Its strong productive base and dynamic population are key assets in the wake of reforms aimed at tackling the challenges of macroeconomic stability, energy supply and economic diversification.

“Growth prospects remain positive with a gross domestic product projected to increase by 3.9 per cent in 2015, according to the latest African Economic Outlook,’’ the statement said.

According to it, Ghana joins 49 OECD and non-OECD countries that are already members of the OECD Development Centre.

It said that the Centre was helping decision makers to find policy solutions to stimulate growth and improve living conditions in developing and emerging economies.

The Centre Said that Ghana’s accession to the OECD Development Centre was endorsed on Oct. 6 during a special session of the Governing Board at the organisations’ Headquarters.

It said that Ghana was received into the OECD in the presence of its President, Mr. John Mahama.

It acknowledged Mahama’s satisfaction in witnessing the reception of Ghana into the OECD and the huge benefits derivable from such association.

The statement affirmed that Ghana’s strong democratic tradition and its development experience, among others, would enrich debates at the OECD Development Centre.