Day: January 25, 2024

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has unveiled its flagship initiative dubbed the ‘2024 ECOWAS Investment Forum’ at a media launch at its headquarters in Lome, Togo, on Wednesday.

The ECOWAS Investment Forum (EIF), which is being organised by EBID under the auspices of the Governments of Togo and India, is slated for April 4th and 5th in the Togolese capital would be under the theme, ‘Transforming ECOWAS Communities in a Challenging Environment.’

Dr George Agyekum Donkor, President of EBID disclosed that the aim of the media launch was to solicit support from the media in bringing the initiative to the front burner towards making the Forum a success.

He said the event is anticipated to provide a strategic platform for development partners and stakeholders operating in the sub-region to connect and promote investment opportunities in key sectors of ECOWAS Member States, with a focus on stimulating shared prosperity and poverty eradication in the sub-region.

‘The 2024 EIF will showcase
the high investment potential of West Africa, present a pipeline of development projects and programmes from the private and public sectors, as well as facilitate pertinent investment partnerships and conversations.

The Forum is expected to Create opportunities for relevant and tangible investment partnerships and dialogues, present a pipeline of development projects and programmes from various key sectors, namely, agriculture and food security, support to SMEs and SMIs, infrastructure, and energy targeted at addressing the infrastructural gap in the subregion, which is estimated at about USD 3 billion each Year,’ the EBID President indicated.

Experts would congregate to address critical issues related to food security and infrastructure development, incorporating climate change mitigation measures and sustainable development.

Together with stakeholders, we will share best practices and commit to actions that drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth, investment in human capital, and building resilie
nce to global challenges for the ECOWAS Member States.

Dr Donkor reaffirmed EBID’s commitment to promoting an integrated, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient ECOWAS by supporting projects and programmes with a developmental impact, both in the private and public sectors.

‘We look forward to productive sessions and discussions as well as mutually beneficial outcomes from our deal rooms where projects ripe for investment will be showcased.’

Dr Donkor expressed gratitude to Madam Nialé Kaba, Minister for Economy, Planning and Development of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and Chairperson of the Board of Governors of EBID, and Mr Sani Yaya, Minister for Economy, and Finance of the Republic of Togo and Governor of EBID for their continued support and guidance.

Mr Yaya, Minister for Economy, and Finance of the Republic of Togo and Governor of EBID said Togo’s commitment to the development of the EBID reflects its quest for regional integration, which is a catalyst for sustainable development.

He said the Forum
would explore potentials of member states and share insights to drive sustainable development.

He praised the successes chalked by the Bank under the auspices of Dr Donkor and his team for churning sterling performance in the transformation of the subregion.

Madam Kaba, Minister for Economy, Planning and Development of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and Chairperson of the Board of Governors of EBID is upbeat the Forum would facilitate investment partnerships with key players operating in the ECOWAS subregion.

Present were Governors and Directors of EBID and representatives of Governments, captains of industry, the private sector and the media partners.

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) is the development finance institution of the 15 Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Its primary activi
ties are structured around Lines of credit, loans to the public and private sectors, equity investments, support to SMEs and SMIs Innovative and structured financing.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Benjamin Ayiku Nartey, Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku in the Greater Accra Region, is to construct a clinic at Teshie in Accra to help ease some of the problems they face in terms of accessing medical care in the constituency.

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has agreed to offer a large tract of land for the project, and it Is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Mr Ayiku Nartey disclosed this in Accra when he, in collaboration with the Ledzokuku Municipal Heath Directorate organized free medical outreach at Teshie in Accra.

The constituents turned out in their numbers to have their health status checked.

They were screened of blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, Hepatitis ‘B’, sugar level, eye screening among others.

The people who do not have National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards were also registered unto the scheme to enjoy free medical care.

Mr Ayiku Nartey said the well-being of the people in the constituency was paramount and that the exercise was part of measures to impr
ove their health.

He said the exercise would be extended to all the 12 electoral areas in the constituency and construct footbridges in some vantage areas to facilitate easy crossing of roads.

The Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku expressed the hope that all the roads in the constituency would receive facelift to facilitate easy transportation.

He called on the Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to unite and work harder than before to ensure that the party returns to power.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mrs Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, Secretary, Board of Trustees, Health Sector Occupational Pension Scheme (HSOPS), has called on government to pay the ten-month arrears of tier-two due the scheme.

She said the scheme had been suffering government had failed remit deductions taken from beneficiaries at source, adding that without the payments, the contributor would not continue to invest.

She said several complaints had been made to the National Pensions Regulatory Authority to ensure that the payments were made, but to no avail.

She made the call at the launch of the HSOPS mobile application on Tuesday, Senchi, near Akosombo in the Eastern Region.

Mrs Ofori-Ampofo said the gap created by arrears was affecting members due for retirement.

‘If these monies are not paid it will cause chaos, demonstrations and unrest in the country, which is not advisable,’ she said.

She said the tier-two payments were always deducted from their salaries but did not reflect on the scheme.

She appealed for the Authority to quickl
y make payments to resolve frustration among members and encourage them to continue to invest in the tier-two pension scheme.

‘If not, members will feel reluctant to make new contributions.’

She assured all that the HSOPS would continue to push and make sure that the arrears were fully paid.

Dr. Derek Amoateng, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the HSOPS, speaking about the benefits of the mobile application, said it would allow beneficiaries to identify their payment issues, find solutions to them, and monitor funds deducted from their salary.

He said the app was mobile friendly and available to members across all geographical locations.

Source: Ghana News Agency