News
Ghana Exim Bank deepens relations with India Exim Bank
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export–Import Bank (GEXIM), responsible for Finance and Administration, Mrs. Nana Akyaa Obeng-Adiyiah, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lawrence Agyinsam, has met with Management of the India Export–Import Bank (India EXIM) led by the Managing Director, Ms. Harsha Bhupendra Bangari.
The meeting took place on Wednesday June 14, 2023 on the sidelines of the 18th CII – EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Growth Partnership held at the Taj Palace in New Delhi, India, from 14th to 16th June 2023.
Over 200 International and Indian delegates across export agencies, multilateral institutions, private credit insurers, governments, diplomats, and many more attended the 18th CII – EXIM Bank Conclave.
The meeting was to deepen the existing cordial relationship between the two Banks, provide an opportunity for the two institutions to identify ways of building synergy, and possible collaboration in existing as well as new areas of interest for mutual benefit in addition to sharing insights on their respective operational processes.
Ms. Bangari expressed her excitement about the gains Ghana has made over the years through initiatives by GEXIM and further indicated India EXIM Bank’s interest in collaborating with GEXIM and the Government of Ghana to play a strategic role to develop several industries across the country in line with Ghana’s industrialization agenda.
“We have been monitoring the situation in Ghana and the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since last year. We are hopeful Ghana will come out of its current economic challenges stronger and its economy will bounce back.
As indicated, we are keenly interested in partnering with Ghana Exim Bank and the Government of Ghana in the One District One Factory initiative which is similar to one of the India EXIM Bank’s developmental projects dubbed, One District, One Product”, she added.
On her part, Mrs. Obeng-Adiyiah reiterated GEXIM’s mandate in championing the transformation of Ghana’s economy into an export-led one and the elimination of critical market failures in the Ghanaian economy to make Ghana competitive in the global marketplace.
“We are grateful to the Management of India EXIM Bank, especially the Managing Director, Ms. Bangari, for making time to host us, it shows the importance you attach to the relationship between us. We are excited about the great engagement today and very optimistic about the positive outcomes to help in stabilizing the Ghanaian economy. We look forward to the collaboration with India EXIM Bank on the One District One Factory flagship programme of the Ghanaian Government and resumption of the exchange programme between the two Banks to build the capacity of staff members,”she emphasized.
Other members of the GEXIM team at the meeting were Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Atubra, Senior Manager, Procurement, and Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney, Assistant Manager, Corporate Affairs & International Cooperation.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
