Category: General

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

The Executive of the Oti Regional Fulanis, has expressed concern over neglect from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) during disaster periods. Explaining their disappointment to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), they said NADMO continued to support households affected by various disasters in the area but always denied them relief and solutions in same situations. Mr Abdul Rahman Jallow, the Deputy National Youth leader of Tabital Pulaaku International, a non-profit organization, said NADMO had not given them any support in terms of relief items in any disaster situation in any part of the country. Highlighting the suffering of his people, he said property of many Fulanis including livestock and houses were burnt in various communities in the country during herder-farmer clashes, but they never had assistance from the Government or NADMO. Mr Jallow said he could not recollect any relief coming the way of Fulanis during the recent flood situation across the country. He said this during the i nauguration of the 27- member committee for conflict prevention and resolution in the Oti region. To ensure peace in the region, the conflict prevention and resolution committee is therefore established to lead in formulating strategies to achieve cordial relations with the farmers in the area. In addition, the Regional Council of Elders were given responsibility to provide administrative direction and leadership for the efficient and effective performance of the conflict management and resolution functions of the council. Source: Ghana News Agency

Candidate in run-off local elections in Bir Chaouech constituency, Nadhour delegation (Zaghouan governrate) Bilel Ben Ali kicked off his campaign by meeting with citizens. He reiterated commitment to improve basic infrastructure in the region and voiced keeness to respond to the concerns and demands of locals, especially with regard to transport in rural areas and procedures for launching small farming projects. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

OSHAKATI: A 44-year-old woman was arrested in the Omusati Region on Wednesday after allegedly being found in possession off over 1 000 litres of fuel believed to have been smuggled into Namibia from neighbouring Angola. The Namibian Police Force's (NamPol) Omusati Crime Investigations Coordinator, Moses Simaho, said the suspect was caught around 08h30 at Onandjaba village in the Okalongo constituency. According to Simaho, the suspect was allegedly found in possession of a large number of 25 litre containers filled with fuel believed to be smuggled from Angola to Namibia. 'She was also found busy selling to customers and the suspect failed to give satisfactory account to possess such fuel,' he said. Simaho indicated that they confiscated 69 containers and N.dollars 420 in cash from the woman. The total value of the confiscated items is yet to be determined. The suspect, amongst others, faces charges of contravening the Customs and Excise Act, as well as the Petroleum Products and Energy Act. Police inve stigation into the matter continues. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Network of Women in Growth, (NEWIG) Ghana, a non-profit, women-focused skills-development organisation have implemented a $200,000 economic programme for marginalised women in urban centres. The two-year economic project dubbed 'Economic Inclusion of Marginalised Women Living in Urban Centers' targets communities in the cities of Accra, Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale. The programme is aimed at training and supporting 300 young women, including women living with disabilities, to gain skills in Mushroom and Snail farming, and Soap making. It also aims to help beneficiaries create and manage their enterprises by educating them on key business management skills such as customer service, record keeping, time management, packaging, and entrepreneurship. Reverend Dr Joyce Aryee, Founder and Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministries, who launched the programme in Accra, said the project reflected the country's need for transformation. 'The economic empowerment of wom en is not just a goal; it is a catalyst for positive change that reverberates throughout society. When women are equipped with the skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to their communities, the entire nation reaps the rewards,' she said. Madam Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, said in a statement that the project demonstrated the company's commitment to economically empowering women, particularly those living in metropolitan areas who require additional assistance to make a sustainable living. 'By partnering with NEWIG, we aim to provide these women with the necessary resources and entrepreneurial skills, in order to contribute to the growth of the local economy and enhance the socio-economic status of these women,' she added. Ms. Mawulawoe Awity, Executive Director of NEWIG Ghana commended Coca-Cola for funding the project, which she said was a crucial step in addressing unemployment and empowering women in Ghana. 'Leveraging our expertise in women and youth development, and with the backing of The Coca-Cola Foundation, we are confident in creating lasting impact and opening new doors of opportunity for these women through this project. 'This initiative aligns seamlessly with our commitment to advancing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Ghana. Our collaboration underlines the important role TVET plays in creating sustainable livelihoods that engender economic inclusion,' she said. Source: Ghana News Agency