Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
The announcement was made during the Bank’s 23rd Annual General Meeting, held in Banjul, Gambia.
Although Dr. Forson was unable to attend the meeting in person, Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, delivered his message of appreciation and outlined his vision for the Bank’s future.
In his address, Hon. Ampem extended warm greetings from the Government and people of Ghana and conveyed Dr. Forson’s gratitude for the confidence reposed in him.
He acknowledged the significant responsibility the role carries and assured the Board of Ghana’s commitment to the shared goals of EBID.
“To my fellow Governors, thank you for the trust you have placed in Ghana’s leadership. I will continue to rely on your support and collaboration in the year ahead,” Dr. Forson said.
A Strategic Vision For EBID’s Future
Dr. Forson also outlined a four-point strategic vision for his tenure, aimed at strengthening EBID’s ability to deliver on its regional mandate:
Strengthening resource mobilization to more effectively finance regional development initiatives.
Improving capital recovery through enhanced asset management and operational efficiency.
Facilitating non-regional membership to broaden the Bank’s investment base and partnerships.
Positioning EBID as the premier development finance institution in West Africa and beyond.
He emphasized that while the West African sub-region faces economic challenges, it equally holds opportunities for transformation and inclusive growth. He reaffirmed his belief that through collaboration and innovation, EBID can continue to play a pivotal role in building a prosperous and integrated West Africa.
Dr. Forson also commended the President of EBID, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, and his team for their efforts in steering the institution toward its development and integration objectives.
Outgoing Chairman, Hon. Seedy Keita, thanked his colleagues for the opportunity to serve and pledged his full support to Dr. Forson. He underscored EBID’s role in promoting economic progress within ECOWAS member states and expressed confidence in the new leadership.
About EBID
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) is the financial arm of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), comprising 15 member countries. Established in 1975 as the ECOWAS Fund and restructured into EBID in 1999, the Bank supports both public and private sector development across the region.
Headquartered in Lomé, Togo, EBID has been instrumental in driving regional integration and financing transformative projects, particularly since its restructuring into a single-window institution in 2007.
Ghana remains a key beneficiary of the Bank’s support, with EBID’s total commitment to the country currently standing at approximately $408 million.
The Bank’s financing spans 24 active projects across sectors including finance, energy, and infrastructure, with notable partnerships involving Consolidated Bank Ghana, Access Bank Ghana PLC, Tema LNG Terminal, and Marriott Hotel.