Accra, 2nd September 2022 – Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister for Finance has commended the Chairperson and members of the AfDB 2022 Annual Meetings Local Organising Committee for a job well done.
“Today’s meeting is the formal session to express the profound appreciation of this Ministry and indeed the Government of Ghana to the planning committee for going every length to ensure that the Black Star shined brightly,” he said.
The Finance Minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by Hon Abena Osei-Asare, a Deputy Minister for Finance at an appreciation meeting with the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up to organise the event.
She presented plaques to members as a token from the Ministry and Government of Ghana. The memento is to serve as a reminder of the value of excellence in serving the nation.
The historic 2022 Annual Meetings were held from 23rd to 27th May this year at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) with over 1000 delegates in attendance.
The Minister commended the dedication and commitment of members to the cause saying, “the security arrangements, accommodation, health (COVID-19 protocols), setting up the AICC, the social events, including the spousal programme, transportation, and airport protocol services as well as accreditation were delivered to the satisfaction of all participants”.
Ken Ofori-Atta noted with appreciation the diligence that went into preparing the notes and speeches, the uninterrupted internet data etc to the extent that even with some heavy rains, the conference went on as scheduled.
“Virtually everything was done to ensure that more than 1,000 delegates from elsewhere had a memorable Ghanaian experience. The feedback from participants have been glowing and rewarding,” he added.
The Minister likened the individual and collective efforts of the Committee as demonstrative of the inspirations provided by the Akoben Adinkra symbol, a symbol of a call to action, readiness to action and readiness to be called to action.
“As Management of this Ministry, we do not take for granted that this success was a matter of course. We believe it was the outcome of diligence, professionalism, and true patriotism. The pre-event preparations (three missions with AfDB) and the effective coordination of assignments were critical to this success,” he stressed.
He highly commended the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Yvonne Quansah, and the sub-committee chairs for the excellent work in ensuring this success.
Ms Yvonne Quansah who is also the Director, Resource Mobilisation & Economic Relations at the Ministry of Finance, also expressed the Committees appreciation to the government, the Minister and Management for the recognition and the support provided to the Committee which ensured a successful event.
Members of the committee were from the Ministry of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Regional integration, Transport, Information, Bank of Ghana, Gender, Children and Social Protection, National Security, BOG Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital and 37 Military Hospital, Ghana Ambulance Service, Ghana Tourism Authority, National Information Technology Agency, Ghana Police MTTD, Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs), Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Airports Company Limited, Airport Health, and States Protocol Department.
Ghana, a key founding member of the Bank in 1963/64 had the opportunity to host the AfDB AGM for the first time in 2021. The 2021 AGM was hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ghana was given the opportunity to host the in-person conference with the easing of the COVID-19 protocols in 2022.
The conference was opened by H. E. the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. He was supported by Presidents of Mozambique, Tanzania, Union of Comoros, (virtual) the Vice President of Cote d’Ivoire, the Prime Minister of Rwanda as well as the President of the Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina.
The theme for the conference was, “Achieving Climate Resilience and a Just Energy Transition for Africa”, participants included Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Africa and officials from these countries. The governors, represent the institution’s 54 African and 27 non-regional member countries. END