CHAIRMAN of the Board of Directors of the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM), Mr Kwadwo Boateng Genfi, says the bank is poised to become one of the main driving forces behind the development of the Ghanaian economy in line with government’s industrial transformation agenda.
As the leading financial institution supporting the government’s One District One factory (1D1F) Initiative, the Board Chairman pledged to ensure that all GEXIM-funded projects are fully completed for “these projects to play their expected roles in the industrialization drive as envisioned by His Excellency, the President.”
Mr Genfi further gave the assurance that his team would work effectively in order to facilitate the well-being of Ghana Exim Bank to ensure that “we achieve the objectives and the purpose for which the institution was established.”
“We will do everything within our ability to ensure that we do not betray the trust reposed in us,” Mr Genfi said in his address after the newly-appointed Board was inaugurated by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mr Charles Adu Boahen.
On his part, and accepting the charge of Mr Adu Boahen to the new Board to build on the hard work of its predecessors, the Chief Executive Officer of GEXIM, Mr Lawrence Agyinsam, said the bank would consolidate the gains made in the last four years.
He reiterated the renewed mission of GEXIM to commit resources to the completion of ongoing 1D1F projects.
Mr Adu Boahen had charged members of the new Board of Directors to assume their roles with dedication and creativity towards initiating financing alternatives that will increase funding sources to support programmes such as government’s Obatampa Ghana CARES.
The Minister further charged the Board to initiate creative ways to support management to improve collaboration with international financing communities that will further attract additional capital to finance import substitution programmes in the country.
“The conduct of this Board is critical in reflecting the values and aspiration of Ghana with respect to attracting critical investments to supporting industry, trade and an economy that is seeking ways to reverse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants on the citizenry,” he stated.
Mr Adu Boahen urged GEXIM to take advantage of its “strategic proximity to the offices of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat,” and engage in constructive collaboration towards creating funding programmes that will benefit Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and afford them the opportunity to lead the export of high-quality Ghanaian products to other African countries.
“We also expect collaborations with AfCFTA to build SME capacity, increase access to international markets and create more employment for the youth in Ghana,” the Minister of State told the GEXIM Board.
He tasked the Board to engage closely with management of the soon to be established National Development Bank to come out with programmes that will be beneficial to both institutions.
The members of the Board include the CEO, Mr Lawrence Agyinsam , Nana Sammy Osei Bonsu, Mr Micheal Okyere Baafi , Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzi, Dr. Afua Asabea Asare Madam Catherine Quaidoo and Rev. Peter Kwame Abebrese.
Source: The Finder