Business24 Newspaper - August 5, 2020 by Business24 Online

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 2020

COVID-19: Over 770,000 workers see wages slashed UMB rides COVID-19 storm, records 194% increase in Profit Indigenous bank, UMB, has recorded an impressive 194 percent increase in profit for the half year ended June 2020, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations of businesses. >>PAGE 3

BY SANI ABDUL-RAHMAN

More than 770,000 workers have had their salaries reduced by their employers since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March, a survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service has revealed The Ghana Statistical Service in its maiden “Covid-19 Business Tracker Survey Report” said the drop in wages was carried out by more than 46 percent respondents made up of businesses of all sizes. According to the survey, nearly 85,000 businesses in Ghana remain shut due to the Coronavirus Pandemic with more than 45,000 workers losing their jobs in the aftermath of

the restrictions on movement imposed by the President. The survey which took place between May and June found out that near half a million businesses reporting a significant drop in their sales during the period with those engaged in the hospitality industry among the worst hit. There could be good news for businesses in the next three months, the survey said, if the impact of the pandemic subsides – this could translate into sales appreciating by 25 percent and employment by four percent. However, sales could also drop by 24 percent

Bold steps required, to create inclusive, resilient, quality education systems fit for the future UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calls on governments and the international to step up. Below is his message at the launch of his policy brief on Education and Covid-19. >> MORE ON PAGE 13

GIPC courts investors into film industry Government’s main investment promotion arm, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), has intensified efforts at attracting the needed investment into the film industry.

>> MORE ON PAGE 2

Organic Crop Farmers call for improved standards in the agriculture

>> PAGE 3

ECONOMIC INDICATORS *EXCHANGE RATE (INT. RATE)

USD$1 =GHC 5.6734*

*POLICY RATE

14.5%*

GHANA REFERENCE RATE

15.12%

OVERALL FISCAL DEFICIT

11.4 % OF GDP

PROJECTED GDP GROWTH RATE AVERAGE PETROL & DIESEL PRICE:

>> MORE ON PAGE 19

GHc 5.13*

INTERNATIONAL MARKET BRENT CRUDE $/BARREL

Nana Kwame Gyamfi, the Project Coordinator of Cocoa Organic Farmers Association (COFA), has advocated a legislative Instrument that will ensure adherence to standards in the agricultural commodities sector.

0.9%

NATURAL GAS $/MILLION BTUS GOLD $/TROY OUNCE CORN $/BUSHEL

43.22 1.79 1,842.40 329.50

COCOA $/METRIC TON

1,562.00

COFFEE $/POUND:

$109.65

COPPER USD/T OZ.

220.15

SILVER $/TROY OUNCE:

17.07

NEWS/EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

Wash your hands 2

Time to lift the film industry to where it belongs The film industry is big business and employs millions of people in countries where it is well developed. The American film and television industry, for instance, paid out US$49 billion to local businesses across the country and supported 2.1 million jobs in 2016. Nigeria’s Film industry, Nollywood, is recognised as one of the largest film producers in the world. The Industry has been identified as one of the priority sectors in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan for the West African Federal State with a planned US$1 billion revenue in 2020 according to a PWC report on “Perspectives from the Global Media and Entertainment Outlook 20172021”. However, Ghana’s film industry has

lacked the requisite investment necessary for jobs creation and revenue generation. The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre’s (GIPC), intensified efforts at attracting the needed investment into the film industry is very laudable. So far, a number of investors from different regions of the world, have held discussions with the GIPC about investing in the sector, the most promising being a Los Angeles-based investor. “A group from Los Angeles has expressed interest in setting up a state-of-the-art film studio and a theatre art school here in Ghana, having identified a potential market in the sub-region and the continent

as a whole that warrants such investments,” Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, Mr. Yofi Grant said at a recent National Film Authority webinar. He further revealed that other investors have expressed interest in projects in the Eastern Region Mr. Grant, however, pointed out that some teething problems in the industry have to be addressed to provide the right environment for the investment in the film sector. To attract the needed investment, however, the State must create an enabling environment with the requisite laws and incentives to help develop the industry to its full potential.

Cover your cough 3

COVID-19: Over 770,000 workers see wages slashed CONTINUED FROM COVER

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LIMITED Copyright @ 2019 Business24 Limited. All Rights Reserved. Editorial Team Dominic Andoh: Editor Eugene Kwabena Davis (Head of Parliamentary Business & Commodities) Benson Afful (Head of Energy & Education) Patrick Paintsil (Head of Maritime & Banking) Nii Annerquaye Abbey (Online Editor) Marketing Alexander Lartey Agyemang (Business Development Manager) Ruth Fosua Tetteh (Dept. Business Development Manager) Gifty Mensah (Marketing Manager) Irene Mottey (Sales Manager) Edna Eyram Swatson (Special Projects Manager ) Events Evelyn Kanyoke (Snr. Events Consultant) Finance/Administration Joseph Ackon Bissue (Accountant)

and employment by 15 percent in the third quarter, in the event that situation deteriorates. Already, businesses have witnessed declining returns since March 2020 when Ghana partially locked down her major cities to curb the spread of the virus. Sales in March dropped 26 percent year-on-year. The contraction continued in April during the lockdown, declining further by 10 percentage points to close the month’s sales at 36 percent lower yearon-year. Accommodation and food sub-sector recorded the highest drop in sales by 57 percent due to safety concerns and movement restrictions, followed by trade 35 percent. Other services recorded the least dip of 5 percent. “The uncertainty over when the pandemic will end, coupled with the disruptions to supply chain and temporary closure of some business will definitely translate into declining sales. And we need to manage our expectations because it will take time for sales to return to pre-covid levels,” a Research Fellow at the Institute for Statistical Social and Economic Research, Dr. Andrew Agyei-Holmes told Business24 in Accra. Amidst the devastation caused by the pandemic, more than 130,000 businesses had difficulty accessing credit to sustain their operations, as

uncertainty made banks skeptical to advance loans. This compelled more than 115,000 businesses to either permanently or temporarily close down. Government subsequently rolled out the GH¢1 billion Coronavirus Alleviation Programme Business Support Scheme (CapBus), the GH¢2 billion guarantee fund for industries, among others to help sustain the private sector and revive the economy.

“The recovery process would be severely disrupted if we experience a surge in the cases and the impact will be disastrous. There should be more emphasis on sensitization and enforcement of the safety protocols to prevent a second wave, and not just rolling out support schemes. We first have to be healthy to run businesses and the economy,” Dr Agyei-Holmes said.

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UMB rides COVID-19 storm, records 194% increase in Profit The measures taken by various national governments to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the world have heavily impacted thousands of businesses, especially in Ghana where small businesses make up the majority. Despite the devastating impact of the current pandemic, the Bank’s profit after tax increased from GHS 5.5million in June 2019 to GHS 16million in 2020, representing a 194 percent increase year-on-year. UMB also grew its asset base from GH¢ 2.6billion to GH¢3.3billion between June 2019 and June 2020 representing a growth of 25 percent. UMB, as one of the oldest universal banks in the country that has developed and deployed various banking solutions that meet the needs of today’s largeand small-scale businesses, has committed to supporting businesses through this difficult socio-economic situation. According to the Bank’s management, the current crisis presents an opportunity to further engage, co-create, and support

Mr. Benjamin Amenumey, Chief Executive Officer of UMB

their clients to recalibrate their operations. Mr. Benjamin Amenumey, Chief Executive Officer of UMB, commenting on the Bank’s half year performance noted that UMB, as a business, put in place interventions to manage expenses and these measures culminated in a 10.4% reduction in expenses (year-on-year). Furthermore, the Bank is closely observing local and international developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and all the necessary protocols are in place to ensure the safety of their

customers and employees. “Rest assured, that UMB is available to provide you with exceptional service even in these uncertain times. As part of our measures, we had triggered aspects of our business continuity plan in response and anticipation of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the environment.” As a testament to the Bank’s commitment of deploying technology as a banking solution for their customers, UMB has also introduced the ‘tap to pay’ feature for its UMB Visa contactless cards. With the UMB Visa contactless

cards, customers can make faster and secure payments on any contactless-enabled POS device or terminal worldwide. Furthermore, UMB customers can conveniently and seamlessly bank in the comfort of their homes using the innovative mobile banking application, the UMB SpeedApp. Similarly, customers can choose from a suite of electronic channels including 24-hour ATMs as well as the UMB Internet Banking portal. Not only is the Bank at the forefront of deploying technology to better serve its clients, it is positioning the customer at the heart of all it does in this critical period with many interventions such as financial relief packages to cushion the blow that COVID-19 has dealt many business owners especially those in the SME sector. Additionally, UMB has rolled out for government workers and public servants, an exciting loan package - the UMB Controller Loan, to help them secure up to GH¢150,000 at a competitive interest rate and then pay back within a 48-month period so that they can finance their everyday personal needs.

GIPC courts investors into film industry So far, a number of investors from different regions of the world, have held discussions with the GIPC about investing in the sector, the most promising being a Los Angeles-based investor. “A group from Los Angeles has expressed interest in setting up a state-of-the-art film studio and a theatre art school here in Ghana, having identified a potential market in the sub-region and the continent as a whole that warrants such investments,” Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, Mr. Yofi Grant said at a recent National Film Authority webinar. He further revealed that other investors have expressed interest in projects in the Eastern Region Mr. Grant, however, pointed out that some teething problems in the industry have to be addressed to provide the right environment for the investment in the film sector. “There are three things

investors want to be sure about before putting their money forward: returns on investment, sustainability and growth. I dare say that it’s time we moved from potential to actualization” he said. Across the globe, the film industry has proven to be a major contributor to economic development of many economies. The American film and television industry, for instance, paid out US$49 billion to local businesses across the country and supported 2.1 million jobs in 2016, according to data from Motion Picture Association of America. In Africa, Nigeria’s Film industry, Nollywood, is recognised as one of the largest film producers in the world. The Industry has been identified as one of the priority sectors in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan for the West African Federal State with a planned US$1 billion revenue

in 2020 according to a PWC report on “Perspectives from the Global Media and Entertainment Outlook 2017-2021”. To attract the needed investment. Mr. Grant said: “Once you put out your project and can properly define it, you can then make it

sell to potential investors”. Meanwhile the State, he adds, must create an ambient condition with laws and incentives to help develop the industry to its full potential seeing as it’s a part of our cultural process, identity and pride.

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Organic Crop Farmers call for improved standards in the agriculture Nana Kwame Gyamfi, the Project Coordinator of Cocoa Organic Farmers Association (COFA), has advocated a legislative Instrument that will ensure adherence to standards in the agricultural commodities sector. He saidinthewakeoftheincreasing trade globalization, standards and grades played essential roles by defining the procedures and their effects especially in developing economies, which served as strategy for assuring quality and safety of marketers and consumers, niche definition, brand development and market penetration. Nana Gyamfi added that related studies conducted have indicated that standardization and grading enable the producer to do proper differentiation and segmentation in serving customers. His assertion followed a study conducted by COFA to establish the impact of the absence of a Legislative Instrument to

guide agricultural commodities standardization in Ghana, a focus on the cocoa and maize supply chain. The BUSAC funded study formed part of activities needed to pursue evidence-based advocacy for “Legislative Instrument (LI) to regulate agricultural commodities standardization”. Nana Gyamfi pointed out that, the study was aimed at evaluating the existing standards in the cocoa and maize markets in terms of measuring units, grading and pricing in comparison with

standards by Ghana Standards Authority. The study also identified the need to have a functional enforcement mechanism, to facilitate new standards in the marketing of maize. In cocoa and maize marketing currently, the most commonly used standard is the weight. Nana Gyamfi, however, blamed the situation on the limited financial and technical capacity to implement food safety laws and regulations in the case of Ghana as established by the World Food Programme.

“Whereas some Regulatory agencies belonged to different Ministries and Departments which affected their ability to effectively harmonize implementation, approaches and enforcement of regulations developed by GSA, others are centralized with limited representation at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies”. Other challenges in the case of Ghana is the fragmentation of responsibilities to implement and enforce regulations and laws across different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) leading to uncoordinated and ineffective implementation. The COFA study further identified that many buyers only relied on physical observation in the purchases of the commodity without testing. Nana Gyamfi therefore stressed the need for government’s commitment to support institutions to effectively deliver on their regulatory mandate in making Agriculture the backbone of Ghana’s economy. GNA

University of Ghana graduates 14,000 in maiden virtual congregation The University of Ghana has held its maiden virtual congregation, graduating 14,295 students. They comprised 964 students in the non-degree programmes, 8,236 undergraduates, 4,668 post graduate students and 427 PhD students; with 6,807 being females and 7,488 males. They included final year undergraduate students of the School of Law of the College of Humanities and students who took supplementary examinations at the University of Ghana Schools of Medicine and Dentistry of the College of Health and Allied Sciences. These students need to have their certificates, in order to continue with the professional training, starting from August. The decision to hold a virtual congregation ceremony was based on the current guidelines for meetings in large numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana, in his report to the Congregation, noted that following the directive issue by the President on March 15, for all educational institute in Ghana to be closed down until further notice, the University Management rolled out online teaching and learning programmes to ensure that the second semester of the 2019-2020 academic year would be completed successfully. “We fully activated the University of Ghana Sakai Learning Management

System (LMS), arranged with Vodafone Ghana to distribute limited data to enable faculty and students to work off campus,” he said. “We also collaborate with telecommunication companies to white list all University of Ghana academic resources and created a helpdesk to provide technical support to the faculty and student. It is heart-warming to witness many innovations with faculty and employing additional e-resources to compliment the use University of Ghana Sakai Learning Management System.” He said following another Presidential directive on 31st May, that final year tertiary students could resume lectures, Management met with stakeholders and decided to continue with the online teaching and learning programmes for final and continuing students; while affording final year students, who wish to return to campus to use on campus resources to do so. He said provision was also made to receive registered final year students who wanted to relocate to campus to use on campus resources from June 15, adding that, make up lessons were arranged for final students who could not participate in the online teaching and learning programme to take their examinations. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the University of Ghana had successfully conducted its end of semester examination for its students. With regards to accommodation,

Prof Owusu said the University had for some time now decoupled admission from accommodation due to some financial obligation and this financial obligation truly had affected their capacity to undertake further investment to augment the housing stock. He said to address the accommodation challenge, in anticipation of the influx of the first cohort of graduates from free senior high school policy, Management was considering various approaches including an off-campus arrangement to identify suitable private residential facilities and recommenced same for interested students. Prof. Owusu advised the graduating students that their commitment to obtain knowledge does not end with their graduation but that they would continue to seek knowledge to enable them make significant

changes in your lives and society as a whole. “As you move on to the next stage of your lives, remember to uphold the values of the University; that is respect, commitment, integrity and loyalty,” he said. Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Director, Public Prosecutions, Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, guest speaker, urged the class to take advantage of time and the circumstances around them, so that they would eventually create life changing opportunities. Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, Chancellor, University of Ghana, congratulated Prof Owusu on his reappointment as the ViceChancellor of the University, saying, “Prof Owusu, I salute for your many achievements in your first term and I wish you every success in your second term that starts from august 1st 2020.” GNA

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Moving the Ghanaian film industry from “potential to actualization” through investments

ilm making is tough business. It requires a lot of capital yet comes with significant uncertainty in terms of profitability even among the best of producers. But in a developing industry like that of Ghana’s, fraught with challenges of inadequate capital, copyright infringement and piracy, the ability to make profits is even dimmer. The history of the industry traces back to the 1920’s when the British colonial masters first introduced cinematography as a form of entertainment among the elite. By 1960 the government had inherited the industry from its colonial masters and established the Ghana Film Corporation. It trained promising filmmakers purposely for education and socio-economic development. By the 1980’s films were made independently after government sold its majority interest in the state film industry. The popular movie ‘Love Brewed in the African Pot’ produced by the legendary Kwaw Ansah was the first independent movie to hit Ghanaian cinemas by 1981, however the absence of government support plunged the industry into turmoil with producers depending on the appeal of their movies to raise funds. Decades on, the Ghanaian film industry has weathered the storms and continues to be a major player in film making on the continent with hundreds of popular films produced each year. However, the growth of the industry has been stalled with persistent issues of poor infrastructure, inadequate finance, breakdown in distribution and marketing channels and the biggest of all, copyright infringements and piracy. Together, these factors erode profits of stakeholders in the film industry. “Assuming you invest about GHC 5,000 into a production, you would expect to in the least, breakeven. But achieving that currently, is a huge hurdle in Ghana “exclaimed Cecil SunkwahMills the Managing Director of MultiChoice Ghana, one of the four speakers in a webinar organised by the National Film Authority (NFA) under the theme “Prospects of the Pitch Series for the Ghana Film Industry.” He recounts how MultiChoice as one of the few internal investors in Ghana’s film industry had battled with copyright infringements and piracy over the years “we often spend loads of money fighting to protect the copyright

of content we buy both locally and internationally. Even if arrests are made, the legal process is really slow and frustrating. If we really want to attract investors, we’ll have to get the courts grinding on issues of right protection”. Very often government and industry authorities garner efforts to address the challenges and streamline activities in the film making industry. In 2016 for instance Parliament passed the “Development and Classification of Film Bill’ to regulate and advance the country’s film industry. At present, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has also intensified efforts of drawing needed investment into the industry. According to the CEO of the Centre Mr. Yofi Grant, a number of investors have been engaged to explore opportunities in the country’s film industry. “ a group from Los Angeles has expressed interest in setting up a state of the art film studio and a theatre in art school here in Ghana, having identified a potential market in the subregion and continent that warrants such investments”. He disclosed on the same NFA webinar Others he said, have expressed interest in projects in the Eastern Region and in the provision of technologies for film production. But to make these investments succeed, Mr. Grant pointed out that some teething problems in the industry had to be addressed. “There are three things investors want to be sure about before putting their money forward i.e. Returns on investment, Sustainability and Growth”. I

daresay “it’s time we moved from potential to actualization” he emphasized. Across the globe, the film industry has proven to be a major contributor to economic development of many countries. The American film and television industry for instance paid out $49 billion to local businesses across the country and supported 2.1 million jobs in 2016 according to data from Motion Picture Association of America. In Africa, Nigeria’s Film industry, Nollywood, is recognised as one of the largest film producers in the world. The Industry has been identified as one of the priority sectors in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan for the West African Federal State with a planned US$1 billion revenue in 2020 according to a PWC report on “Perspectives from the Global Media and Entertainment Outlook 2017-2021. Although the Ghanaian and Nigerian movie industries share some similarities in terms of potential and even challenges, it is evident that Nollywood has outpaced the Ghanaian film industry due to a number of factors including, the larger size of the Nigerian market and the growing financial sector support for the industry’s activity. Despite lagging behind its biggest competitor; the Nigerian film industry, Actress and Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Juliet Asante, opines that the challenges inherent in the Ghanaian film business, though troubling cannot derail the industry which is rich with talent.

“One thing I saw from submissions for the NFA Pitch Series is that there isn’t a lack of talent or creativity in content for multiple platforms”. She was right. Multi Choice Academy Director Femi Odugbemi shares the same sentiment about the wealth of talent in the industry having coached participants in the NFA Pitch Series. But talent may not be enough, for the CEO of the GIPC Yofi Grant and the MD of Multi Choice Ghana Cecil Sunkwa-Mills. Both agreed that consented effort by industry players and government to fix structural challenges in the industry is crucial. This includes addressing of copyright and piracy infringements, infrastructure development, fixing of distribution and marketing channels and data collection. With these measures in place, Yofi Grant admitted, it becomes easier to woo investors. “Once you put out your project and can properly define it, you can then make it sell to potential investors”. Meanwhile the State, he adds, must create an ambient condition with laws and incentives to help develop the industry to its full potential seeing as it’s a part of our cultural process, identity and pride. The Pitch Series on the other hand according to Multi Choice Academy Director Femi Odugbemi will put efforts into amassing premium projects in different genres which can attract investment funding in the long run. The NFA Pitch Series is an all film-related pitching event intended to bring filmmakers and the Ghanaian film ecosystem to the attention of investors, broadcasters, distributors, sponsors and platforms around the world for potential collaboration, sponsorship, sales and advertising opportunities. It is a combined effort by the National Film Authority, the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and MultiChoice Ghana to attract investments necessary to chart a brighter course for the Ghanaian film industry. Moving the Ghanaian film industry from its nascent state to a more booming one with the right structures, incentives and investments will see the industry become a major contributor to economic development with spill over benefits such as job creation and revenue generation from local patronage and export of content. (Source: GIPC)

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Global Imbalances and the COVID-19 Crisis

BY MARTIN KAUFMAN AND DANIEL LEIGH

he world entered the COVID-19 pandemic with persistent, pre-existing external imbalances. The crisis has caused a sharp reduction in trade and significant movements in exchange rates but limited reduction in global current account deficits and surpluses. The outlook remains highly uncertain as the risks of new waves of contagion, capital flow reversals, and a further decline in global trade still loom large on the horizon. Our new External Sector Report shows that overall current account deficits and surpluses in 2019 were just below 3 percent of world GDP, slightly less than a year earlier. Our latest forecasts for 2020 imply only a further narrowing by some 0.3 percent of world GDP, a more modest decline than after the global financial crisis 10 years ago. The immediate policy priorities are to provide critical relief and promote economic recovery. Once the pandemic abates, reducing the world’s external imbalances will require collective reform efforts by both excess surplus and deficit countries. New trade barriers will not be effective in New trade barriers will not be effective in reducing imbalancesimbalances. Why imbalances matter External deficits and surpluses are not necessarily a cause for concern. There are good reasons for countries to run them at certain points in time. But economies that borrow too much and too quickly from abroad, by running external deficits, may become vulnerable to sudden stops in capital flows. Countries also face risks from investing too much of their savings abroad given investment needs at home. The challenge lies in determining when imbalances are excessive or pose a risk. Our approach focuses on each country’s overall current account balance and not its bilateral trade balances with various trading partners, as the latter mainly

reflect the international division of labor rather than macroeconomic factors. We estimate that about 40 percent of global current account deficits and surpluses were excessive in 2019 and, as in recent years, concentrated in advanced economies. Larger-than-warranted current account balances were mostly in the euro area (driven by Germany and the Netherlands) with lower-than-warranted current account balances mainly existing among Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. China’s assessed external position remained, as in 2018, broadly in line with fundamentals and desirable policies, due to offsetting policy gaps and structural distortions. Our report offers individual economy assessments of external imbalances and exchange rates for the 30 largest economies. Over time, these imbalances have accumulated, with the stocks of external assets and liabilities now at historic highs, potentially raising risks for both debtor and creditor countries. The persistence of global imbalances and mounting perceptions of an uneven playing field for trade has fueled protectionist sentiments, leading to a rise in trade tensions between the US and China. Overall, many countries had pre-existing vulnerabilities and remaining policy distortions heading into the crisis. COVID-19: An intense external shock With the world economy still grappling with the COVID-19 crisis, the external outlook is highly uncertain. Even though we forecast a slight narrowing of global imbalances in 2020, the situation varies around the world. Economies dependent on severely affected sectors, such as oil and tourism, or reliant on remittances, could see a fall in their current account balances exceeding 2 percent of GDP. Such intense external shocks may have lasting effects and require significant economic adjustments. At the global level, our forecasts imply a more limited narrowing in current account balances than after

the global financial crisis a decade ago, which partly reflects the smaller, precrisis global imbalances this time than during the housing and asset price booms of the mid2000s. Early in the COVID-19 crisis, tighter external financing conditions triggered sudden capital outflows with sharp currency depreciations across numerous emerging market and developing economies. The exceptionally strong fiscal and monetary policy responses, especially in advanced economies, have promoted a recovery in global investor sentiment since then, with some unwind of the initial sharp currency movements. But many risks remain, including new waves of contagion, economic scarring, and renewed trade tensions. Another bout of global financial stress could trigger more capital flow reversals, currency pressures, and further raise the risk of an external crisis for economies with preexisting vulnerabilities, such as large current account deficits, a high share of foreign currency debt, and limited international reserves, as highlighted in this year’s analytical chapter. A worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic could also dislocate global trade and supply chains, reduce investment, and hinder the global economic recovery. Providing relief and rebalancing the world economy Policy efforts in the near term should continue to focus on providing lifelines and promoting economic recovery. Countries with flexible exchange rates would benefit from continuing to allow them to adjust in response to external conditions, where feasible. Foreign exchange intervention, where needed and where reserves are adequate, could help alleviate disorderly market conditions. For economies facing disruptive balance of payments pressures and without access to private external financing, official financing and swap lines can help provide economic relief and preserve critical health care spending. Tariff and nontariff barriers to trade should be avoided, especially

on medical equipment and supplies, and recent new restrictions on trade rolled back. Using tariffs to target bilateral trade balances is costly for trade and growth, and tends to trigger offsetting currency movements. Tariffs are also generally ineffective for reducing excess external imbalances and currency misalignments, which requires addressing underlying macroeconomic and structural distortions. Modernizing the multilateral rules-based trading system and strengthening rules on subsidies and technology transfer is warranted, including by expanding the rule book on services and e-commerce and ensuring a well-functioning WTO dispute settlement system. Over the medium term, reducing excess imbalances in the global economy will require joint efforts on the part of both excess surplus and excess deficit countries. Economic and policy distortions that predated the COVID-19 crisis might persist or worsen, suggesting the need for reforms tailored to country-specific circumstances. In economies where excess current account deficits before the crisis reflected larger-than-desirable fiscal deficits (as in the United States) and where such imbalances persist, fiscal consolidation over the medium term would promote debt sustainability, reduce the excess current account gap, and facilitate raising international reserves where needed (as in Argentina). Countries with export competitiveness challenges would benefit from productivity-raising reforms. In economies where excess current account surpluses that existed before the crisis persist, prioritizing reforms that encourage investment and discourage excessive private saving are warranted. In economies with remaining fiscal space, a growth-oriented fiscal policy would strengthen economic resilience and narrow the excess current account surplus. In some cases, reforms to discourage excessive precautionary saving may also be warranted (as in Thailand and Malaysia) including by expanding the social safety net.

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Should governments spend away? BY RAGHURAM G. RAJAN

dvanced economies have already spent enormous amounts providing pandemic relief to households and smalland medium-size businesses. The International Monetary Fund’s June outlook estimates that, including fiscal measures and credit guarantees, spending reached approximately 20 percentage points of GDP. In the United States, Congress is considering new spending ranging from 5% of GDP (Republicans) to 15% (Democrats). And still more government spending, and thus borrowing, will be needed by the time the pandemic is behind us. Economists have argued that current low interest rates mean that sovereign debt remains sustainable at much higher levels than in the past. They are right, provided that nominal GDP growth returns to a reasonable level, interest rates stay low, and future governments limit their spending. Even if the first two assumptions hold true, the third behooves us to assess the quality of current spending. In normal times, responsible governments aim for a balance over the course of the business cycle, repaying in upturns what they borrow in downturns, with the cohorts that benefit during the first phase repaying during the second. There is, however, no chance that the massive debts accumulated during the current crisis will be repaid soon. Even with higher taxes on the rich – a policy that will meet with intense opposition and arguments against growth-stifling austerity – a large share of the accumulated debt will be passed on to future generations. In the past, such debt was easier to repay. Because strong growth meant that each successive generation was richer, past debts shrank relative to incomes. Yet today, societal aging, low public investment, and tepid productivity growth all militate against our children being much richer than we are. After all, we are already bequeathing to them two enormous challenges: looking after us when our entitlements run out of funding, and addressing climate change, which we have done almost nothing to combat. Worse, having limited our investments in their health and education, we have left much of the next generation underequipped to lead

productive lives. By further limiting the next generation’s ability to make public investments, the debt that we pass on will likely weigh down future incomes. And if we deplete overall borrowing capacity now, future generations will be unable to spend as needed if they encounter another “once-in-a-century” catastrophe like the two we have experienced in the last 12 years. Intergenerational fairness should be as important as intra-societal fairness for those alive today. In practical terms, this means that the notion that anyone should be made whole because the pandemic “wasn’t their fault” immediately becomes untenable. While many countries do compensate uninsured homeowners hit by a localized flood or an earthquake, people in unaffected parts of the country pay willingly (through higher taxes) because they know that they would receive the same treatment. With a shock as large as the pandemic, this calculus no longer works; the burden inevitably must fall on future generations, who obviously bear no responsibility for the pandemic or the response to it. Therefore, we must target our spending carefully. As the pandemic and its consequences persist, we must shift to protecting workers, not every job. All laidoff workers should, of course, be provided a decent level of public assistance, certainly until overall employment starts to recover. It is morally right for a rich society to provide a safety net for all, and it is in everyone’s interest that workers and their children retain – or even enhance – their capabilities during the pandemic. Having done that, authorities should be more discriminating in

the firms they support, allowing the market to do most of their job. For example, in normally flourishing neighborhoods, small businesses start up and shut down all the time. While failure is painful for the proprietor, there is little permanent damage to the economy. If there is sufficient demand for flowers when the economy recovers, a new florist can start up at the site of the old one. Consequently, it is not costeffective for the authorities to freeze the old florist in place by paying her landlord, her bank, and her workers indefinitely. Similarly, authorities should not offer grants or subsidized loans so that distressed large businesses like airlines and hotel chains can retain their employees. These businesses will keep excess employees only as long as they get the subsidies. It will be far cheaper for the government to support laid-off workers through unemployment insurance than to pay employers to retain them indefinitely when their work has clearly disappeared. Large corporations that need money to stay afloat can borrow from markets, made buoyant by central banks. If they are so indebted that no one will lend to them, they can restructure their debts in bankruptcy and get a fresh start. In some situations, however, firms may be unable to deal with market forces unaided. In economically disadvantaged communities, where a few small hard-to-restart businesses are vital to community life, support is desirable for both economic and social reasons. Similarly, while markets treat large firms reasonably, mid-size firms may find it harder to get funding even

when viable. If an economically viable firm, employing 100 workers, closes because it has had no revenue over much of the year, its specialized workers will be dispersed, its equipment will be sold in liquidation, and the norms and routines that enable it to function will be lost forever. Even if its exit leaves a big economic hole, a start-up would not easily step in and fill it. But here, too, public support should not be a free lunch. Wherever possible, the government should ensure that existing capital, whether from bondholders or stockholders, absorbs a fair share of the losses before government support kicks in and the burden passes to future generations. Finally, wherever possible, we should boost investment in the young as partial compensation for the debts we are leaving them. For example, we must spend to reopen public schools safely, and ensure the necessary facilities for students whose only option is distance learning. Government spending is necessary today. But just because sovereign-debt markets have not yet reacted adversely to extremely high levels of borrowing and spending, we must not – for our children’s sake – throw caution to the wind.

Raghuram G. Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, is Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the author, most recently, of The Third Pillar: How Markets and the State Leave the Community Behind. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2020. www. project-syndicate.org.

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Bold steps required, to create inclusive, resilient, quality education systems fit for the future.

Education is a fundamental human right. It is the bedrock of just, equal and inclusive societies and a main driver of sustainable development. To prevent a pre-existing learning crisis from turning into a learning catastrophe, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calls on governments and the international to step up. Below is his message at the launch of his policy brief on Education and Covid-19.

ducation is the key to personal development and the future of societies. It unlocks opportunities and narrows inequalities. It is the bedrock of informed, tolerant societies, and a primary driver of sustainable development. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest disruption of education ever. In mid-July, schools were closed in more than 160 countries, affecting over 1 billion students. At least 40 million children worldwide have missed out on education in their critical preschool year. And parents, especially women, have been forced to assume heavy care burdens in the home. Despite the delivery of lessons by radio, television and online, and the best efforts of teachers and parents, many students remain out of reach. Learners with disabilities, those in minority or disadvantaged communities, displaced and refugee students and those in remote areas are at highest risk of being left behind. And even for those who can

access distance learning, success depends on their living conditions, including the fair distribution of domestic duties. We already faced a learning crisis before the pandemic. More than 250 million school-age children were out of school. And only a quarter of secondary school children in developing countries were leaving school with basic skills. Now we face a generational catastrophe that could waste untold human potential, undermine decades of progress, and exacerbate entrenched inequalities. The knock-on effects on child nutrition, child marriage and gender equality, among others, are deeply concerning. This is the backdrop to the Policy Brief I am launching today, together with a new campaign with education partners and United Nations agencies called ‘Save our Future’. We are at a defining moment for the world’s children and young people. The decisions that governments and partners take now will have lasting impact on hundreds of millions of young people, and on the development prospects of countries for decades to come. This Policy Brief calls for action in four key areas: First, reopening schools. Once local transmission of COVID-19 is under control, getting students back into schools and learning institutions as safely as possible must be a top priority.

We have issued guidance to help governments in this complex endeavour. It will be essential to balance health risks against risks to children’s education and protection, and to factor in the impact on women’s labour force participation. Consultation with parents, carers, teachers and young people is fundamental. Second, prioritizing education in financing decisions. Before the crisis hit, low and middle-income countries already faced an education funding gap of US$1.5 trillion dollars a year. This gap has now grown. Education budgets need to be protected and increased. And it is critical that education is at the heart of international solidarity efforts, from debt management and stimulus packages to global humanitarian appeals and official development assistance. Third, targeting the hardest to reach. Education initiatives must seek to reach those at greatest risk of being left behind -- people in emergencies and crises; minority groups of all kinds; displaced people and those with disabilities. They should be sensitive to the specific challenges faced by girls, boys, women and men, and should urgently seek to bridge the digital divide. Fourth, the future of education is here. We have a generational opportunity to reimagine education. We can take a leap towards forward-looking systems that deliver quality education for all as

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

a springboard for the Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this, we need investment in digital literacy and infrastructure, an evolution towards learning how to learn, a rejuvenation of life-long learning and strengthened links between formal and non-formal education. And we need to draw on flexible delivery methods, digital technologies and modernized curricula while ensuring sustained support for teachers and communities. As the world faces unsustainable levels of inequality, we need education – the great equalizer – more than ever. We must take bold steps now, to create inclusive, resilient, quality education systems fit for the future. (un.org/Africarenewal)

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Is China Winning the AI Race? ERIC SCHMIDT AND GRAHAM ALLISON

he COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the capabilities of the United States and China to deploy artificial intelligence in solving real-world problems. While America’s performance hasn’t exactly inspired confidence, it maintains some important competitive advantages. COVID-19 has become a severe stress test for countries around the world. From supply-chain management and health-care capacity to regulatory reform and economic stimulus, the pandemic has mercilessly punished governments that did not – or could not – adapt quickly. The virus has also pulled back the curtain on one of this century’s most important contests: the rivalry between the United States and China for supremacy in artificial intelligence (AI). The scene that has been revealed should alarm Americans. China is not just on a trajectory to overtake the US; it is already surpassing US capabilities where it matters most. Most Americans assume that their country’s lead in advanced technologies is unassailable. And many in the US national-security community insist that China can never be more than a “nearpeer competitor” in AI. In fact, China is already a full-spectrum peer competitor in terms of both commercial and national-security AI applications. China is not just trying to master AI; it is mastering AI. The pandemic has offered a revealing early test of each country’s ability to mobilize AI at scale in response to a national-security threat. In the US, President Donald Trump’s administration claims that it deployed cutting-edge technology as part of its declared “war” on the coronavirus. But, for the most part, AI-related technologies have been used mainly as buzzwords. Not so in China. To stop the spread of the virus, China locked down the entire population of Hubei province – 60 million people. That is more than the number of residents in every state on the US East Coast from Florida to Maine. China maintained this massive cordon sanitaire by using AI-enhanced algorithms to track residents’ movements and scale up testing capabilities while massive new health-care facilities were being built.

The COVID-19 outbreak coincided with the Chinese New Year, a hightravel period. But top Chinese tech companies responded quickly by creating apps with “health status” codes to track citizens’ movements and determine whether individuals needed to be quarantined. AI then played a critical role in helping Chinese authorities enforce quarantines and perform extensive contract tracing. Owing to China’s largescale datasets, the authorities in Beijing succeeded where the government in Washington, DC, failed. Over the past decade, China’s advantages in size, data collection, and strategic determination have allowed it to close the gap with America’s AI industry. China’s edge begins with its population of 1.4 billion, which affords an unparalleled pool of talent, the largest domestic market in the world, and a massive volume of data collected by companies and government in a political system that always places security before privacy. Because a primary asset in applying AI is the quantity of high-quality data, China has emerged as the Saudi Arabia of the twenty-first century’s most valuable commodity. In the context of the pandemic, China’s ability and willingness to deploy these technologies for strategic value has strengthened its hard power. Like it or not, real wars in the future will be AI-

driven. As Joseph Dunford, then the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, put it in 2018, “Whoever has the competitive advantage in artificial intelligence and can field systems informed by artificial intelligence, could very well have an overall competitive advantage.” Is China destined to win the AI race? With a population four times the size of the US, there is no question that it will have the largest domestic market for AI applications, as well as many times more data and computer scientists. And because China’s government has made AI mastery a first-order priority, it is understandable why some in the US would be pessimistic. Nonetheless, we believe that the US can still compete and win in this critical domain – but only if Americans wake up to the challenge. The first step is to recognize that the US faces a serious competitor in a contest that will help to decide the future. The US cannot hope to be the biggest, but it can be the smartest. In pursuing the most advanced technologies, it is arguably the brightest 0.0001% of individuals who make the decisive difference. While China can mobilize 1.5 billion Chinese speakers, the US can recruit and leverage talent from all 7.7 billion people on Earth, because it is an open, democratic society. Moreover, while competing vigorously to sustain the US lead in

AI, we also must acknowledge the necessity of cooperation in areas where neither the US nor China can secure its own minimum vital national interests without the other’s help. COVID-19 is a case in point. The pandemic threatens all countries’ national interests, and neither the US nor China can resolve it alone. In developing and widely deploying a vaccine, some degree of cooperation is essential, and it is worth considering whether a similar principle applies to the unconstrained development of AI. The idea that countries could compete ruthlessly and cooperate intensely at the same time may sound like a contradiction. But in the world of business, this is par for the course. Apple and Samsung are intense competitors in the global smartphone market, and yet Samsung is also the largest supplier of iPhone parts. Even if AI and other cutting-edge technologies suggest a zero-sum competition between the US and China, coexistence is still possible. It may be uncomfortable, but it is better than co-destruction. Eric Schmidt, a former executive chairman of Google and Alphabet, is Chair of the US Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Advisory Board. Graham Allison, Professor of Government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, is the author of Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? Copyright: project-syndicate. org.

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Entrepreneurs Foundation of  Ghana: A decade of rewarding  entrepreneurial excellence EFG Founder Sam Ato Gaisie

BY PATRICK PAINTSIL

n e m p l o y m e n t  remains  an  age-old  canker  of  the  Ghanaian economy. The average  graduate busily chases after nonexistent  jobs,  and  to  many,  the  idea  of  a  successful  life  is  securing  a  “white-collar”  job  with all its perks.  For  decades,  the  phrase  “I  need  a  job”  has  been  firmly  cemented  in  the  mind  of  the  Ghanaian  graduate  and  within  the  larger  society,  leaving  entrepreneurship,  which  is  the  most  sustainable  solution  to  unemployment,  to  only  a  few  risk-takers and people with some  bit of innate business acumen. It  is  this  preference  for  jobchasing  over  job-creation  that  has  left  many  people  searching  for  jobs  that,  undoubtedly,  cannot  be  provided  by  the  government.  A decade ago, Entrepreneurs  Foundation  of  Ghana  (EFG),  a  private  non-partisan  and  nonprofit  organisation,  founded  by  Sam Ato Gaisie, set out to change  the  narrative  on  entrepreneurship,  based  on  the  firm  conviction  that  it  was  only  by  harnessing  the  power  of  entrepreneurship  and  innovation  that  the  Ghanaian  economy  could  grow  and  people's  living  standards  could  be improved. The  mission  was  to  create  and  maintain  an  enabling  entrepreneurship  environment  that promotes vibrant small and  medium enterprises to uplift the  economy  and  the  quality  of  life  of each individual. The  broad  vision  spearheading this noble venture  was  EFG's  quest  to  contribute  towards  addressing  unemployment  by  rewarding  entrepreneurship  and  championing  a  shift  from  unemployment  to  selfemployment and creation of jobs  through  development  of  entrepreneurship  across  the  country. One  way  it  was  going  to  do  this was through the prestigious  Ghana  Entrepreneurs  Awards,

an  annual  awards  scheme  to  identify  and  appreciate  individuals  who  chose  to  be  wealth and job creators—persons  whose  foresight  and  entrepreneurial  tenacity  has  seen  the  formation  of  a  robust  private sector that is driving the  nation's development. If  EFG  was  born  out  of  the  growing need to take sustainable  actions  to  propel  Ghanaian  businesses to greater heights, the  annual  awards  event  was  the  platform on which the goal could  be  achieved.  The  event  also  provided  the  avenue  for  Ghanaian  entrepreneurs  to  connect  with  their  foreign  counterparts in a bid to increase  their  capacity  for  networking  and entrepreneurial success. Themes  and  deliberations  at  these  gatherings  have  always  assisted  entrepreneurs  and  the  business  community  to  influence  dialogue  on  the  economy  to  ensure  that  their  specific  needs  are  at  the  forefront of the decision-making  process. Founder  Sam  Ato  Gaisie,  at  these  events,  has  mostly  encouraged the youth to take up  entrepreneurship  so  as  to  develop  themselves  and  create  jobs  for  others  through  joint  partnerships and other forms of  capital  mobilisation,  and  to  strive  to  build  globally  competitive brands.  EFG  has  diversified  its  activities  over  time  with  other  initiatives  that  seek  to  improve  the  country's  entrepreneurial  landscape. EFG's Made in Ghana Awards  (MIGA)  serves  an  even  more  nationalistic  purpose:  to  bring

down the Ghanaian's preference  for  foreign  products  by  highlighting  some  equally  valuable  options  that  can  be  obtained locally. Mr.  Gaisie  believes  that  the  Ghanaian  entrepreneur  could  attain  greater  heights,  expand  his  business  reach  and  enhance  brand  competitiveness  with  the  needed  support  from  his  immediate market.  In  2017,  EFG  introduced  the  Made in Ghana Business Quality

manufacturing  of  premiumquality products, importation of  quality  products,  and  quality  delivery  of  services  in  Ghana,”  Mr.  Gaisie  said  at  the  maiden  event  held  at  the  Movenpick  Ambassador Hotel in Accra.  Another  platform  created  by  EFG  is  the  Ghana  International  Business  Network,  which  is  a  platform for interaction between  top  Ghanaian  entrepreneurs,  foreign  investors,  and  the  diplomatic  corps  in  Ghana.  It

Made in Ghana Awards

Awards  to  recognise  companies,  products,  and  services that are blazing the trail  when  it  comes  to  conformity  with  competitive  standards  and  quality of their offerings. The  foundation  identified  that in order for the local market  to accept locally-produced goods  and services, such offerings must  be  market-worthy  and  offer  something  akin  to,  if  not  better  than, imported products. The Made in Ghana Business  Quality Awards was therefore an  initiative  established  with  the  aim  of  promoting  effective  quality  management  methodologies  by  Ghanaian  enterprises to improve industrial  competitiveness. “The country cannot achieve  the 'Ghana beyond Aid' initiative  without  emphasising  quality  of  leadership  from  the  public  and  the  private  sectors,

Ghana Entrepreneur & Corporate Executive Awards

seeks  to  develop  sustainable  strategic  business  alliances  and  investment priorities to enhance  domestic  and  international  business  partnerships  and  also  create new opportunities. All  of  these  initiatives  serve  unique purposes, but the bigger  goal of EFG is the creation of the  Entrepreneurs  Association  of  Ghana,  which  will  serve  as  a  business  lobby  and  advocacy  group  with  membership  across  all spheres of the economy. This  year,  EFG's  Ghana  Entrepreneurs  and  Corporate  Executive  Awards—as  the  Ghana  Entrepreneurs Awards has come  to be known—celebrated its tenth  anniversary  under  the  theme,  “Celebrating  Ten  Years  of  Entrepreneurial  Excellence  and  Business  Development  in  Ghana”.  The  event  was  held  virtually  due  to  Covid-19  restrictions on public gatherings,  and  was  streamed  live  on  selected  electronic  media  platforms  and  social  media  channels.  Mr.  Gaisie's  resolve  to  contribute  meaningfully  to  the  development  of  the  domestic  entrepreneurial  space  remains  unabated,  and  to  him,  a  decade  of  recognising  astute  jobmakers  and  employers  is  a  stepping  stone  to  advance  EFG's  noble  cause of pushing prosperity and  wealth.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Dr. Daniel McKorley: An entrepreneurial role model of our times

roup Chairman of the  Mc D a n  G rou p,  D r.  Daniel McKorley, is one  of  Ghana's  top  serial  entrepreneurs whose selﬂess  commitment and investments  have helped to create jobs and  wealth for thousands of young  Ghanaians.  Through  hi s  charity organisation, McDan  Foundation,  he  has  also  contributed meaningfully to  society through various social  and economic interventions.

His  desire  to  create  opportunities  for  the  youth  led  him  to  introduce  the  McDan  Entrepreneurial  Challenge  (MEC),  a  competition  that  solicits,  nurtures  and  supports  workable  business  ideas  of  young  and  budding  entrepreneurs. Dr.  McKorley's  contribution  to  the  domestic  entrepreneurial  landscape  and  society  at  large  has  seen  him  scoop  several  awards  over  the  course  of  his  journey,  his  latest  being  the  “Outstanding Entrepreneur CEO  of the Decade 2010 -2020” at the  10th  anniversary  edition  of  the  Ghana  Entrepreneur  and  Corporate Executives Awards. In  this  interview,  Dr.  McKorley  shares  with  Business24  his  aspirations  and  passion  for  entrepreneurship  and  how  he  is  changing  the  mindset  of  the  Ghanaian  youth  from job-chasing to job-making. You  have  been  recognized  among  the  top  Ghanaian  entrepreneurs  of  the  decade,  which  is  a  reputable  achievement.  As  a  serial  wealth  creator,  what  fascinates  you  about  entrepreneurship  and  how  did  you  become  one  of  Ghana's top business moguls? DM:  I  am  an  ardent  believer  in  the  can-do  spirit,  very  resourceful  and  a  man  of

integrity. I have come this far by  the  grace  of  God  and  through  hard  work.  I  never  give  up  no  matter the challenges. It's not that easy to start and  nurture  a  young  business,  but  you  have  overseen  and  built  a  chain  of  top  globally-accepted  Ghanaian  brands.  How  did  you  navigate the various obstacles as  a  young  entrepreneur  to  get  to  where you sit today? DM:  Continuous  persistence  pays. Risk taking has its rewards  and  making  the  right  investment. Once I set my heart  on a project, I give it my all with a  lot  of  discipline  and  commitment. As a serial entrepreneur, you  have set up various initiatives to  groom  young  Ghanaians  from  job-chasers  to  self-made  business  persons.  What  is  the  motivation  and  drive  behind  these noble acts? DM:  Entrepreneurship  is  what  Ghana  and  Africa  needs.  I  believe  in  investing  in  the  dreams  of  young  entrepreneurs  for jobs and wealth creation. I do  that  through  mentoring  and  providing  critical  funding  to  support  and  promote  viable  projects. Giving back to society is  my passion. One  of  your  numerous  projects  is  the  McDan  Entrepreneurial  Challenge  (MEC).  Tell  us  about  how  that  idea  started  and  how  it  has  helped to shift the mindset of the  youth  towards  entrepreneurship? DM: The MEC was my idea to  reduce  unemployment  among  the  Ghanaian  youth  and  inspire  the youth of Ghana to believe in  their dreams. Through MEC, we  have  been  able  to  train  several  hundreds  of  young  entrepreneurs in both skills and  business  development,  and  created thousands of jobs for the

country. Through MEC, we have  restored  hope  to  a  lot  of  Ghanaian  youth  who  otherwise  would  have  risked  their  lives  travelling to Europe through the  deserts of North Africa. We are a  building  a  modern  shea  nut  factory  for  the  Winner  of  MEC.  Alko  Shea  in  Nasia  in  the  Northern Region. I have invested  over  2  million  cedis  in  supporting  viable  entrepreneurship  development  through my Foundation. Apart  from  promoting  entrepreneurship,  you  have  invested  extensively  in  various  disciplines  such  as  sports  and  also  carried  out  social  responsibilities  in  several  communities across the country.  What  is  driving  these  selﬂess  commitments? DM:  Giving  back  to  society,  particularly  the  poor  and  vulnerable, is my passion, and it  is  the  right  thing  to  do.  I  have  been  there  before  and  I  have  suﬀered  a  lot  while  growing  up  and  I  share  whatever  God  has  blessed me with the poor. I have  constructed  modern  Astro  turfs  for  sports  development  in  Labadi  and  La.  I  am  about  building  a  multi-million  dollar  modern  sports  complex  in  Bwaleshie  and  Teshie.  I  have  enrolled  hundreds  of  needy  but  brilliant  students  in  basic  and  tertiary  institutions.  The  McDan  Foundation pays medical bills of  so many needy patients, and we  recently  donated  three  (3)  dialysis  machines  with  special  chairs to the 37 Military Hospital.  And we will continue to do more!  There is this debate about the  mismatch between industry and  academia that has created a huge  backlog  of  unemployed  graduates in the county. What is  your  view  on  this  from  the  perspective  of  career  development?

DM:  Academia  is  not  producing  the  type  and  quality  of  human  resource  needed  to  develop Ghana, especially in the  21st  Century.  A  lot  of  people  graduate  from  the  university  with degrees and yet are not fitfor-purpose  for  industry.  I  don't  employ  certificates!  I  employ  people  with  the  right  attitude,  skill sets and passion to succeed. What would you recommend  as  possible  measures  for  improving  the  entrepreneurial  environment in Ghana?  DM: Government is doing its  best  to  create  the  enabling  environment  for  socioeconomic  development.  I  think  we  should  empower  the  universities  to  shift  their  emphasis from book- knowledge  to  proper  skills  training  for  industrial  development.  We  should  encourage  artisanal  training,  for  example,  in  bricks  and  tiles  laying,  metal  fabrication,  technology  development,  automobile  engineering,  basic  agricultural  engineering,  etc.  We  should  set  up  more  skills  development  centres  across  the  country  and  provide  funding  for  micro  and  small-scale  businesses  to  grow  and  develop.  Already  I  am  showing  leadership  through  the  McDan  Entrepreneurship  Challenge to build the capacities  of the youth for jobs and wealth  creation. What  significant  role  does  one's  social  networks  and  linkages  play  in  his/her  entrepreneurial  journey,  and  in  what  ways  have  your  social  ties  impacted  on  your  success  as  a  business leader?  DM:  Social  networks  and  linkages  are  critical  for  business  development,  and  I  have  come  this  far  largely  because  I  have  developed  strong  strategic  networks  with  critical  stakeholders, and through these  channels  we  have  worked  together  to  develop  new  ideas,  products  and  services  for  the  betterment  of  society.  I  encourage  the  youth  to  lead  exemplary lives and deliberately  choose  their  friends  and  partners  if  they  want  to  climb  up.ushing  prosperity  and  wealth.

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

Ministry of Business Development: Spearheading  entrepreneurship for national dev't

Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister for Business Development

BY PATRICK PAINTSIL

he  Ministry  of  Business  Development  (MoBD)  was  born  out  of  the  government's desire to build and  promote  a  robust  domestic  entrepreneurial  space  that  will  underpin  the  socio-economic  development of the nation.  The  ministry  is  responsible  for  the  initiation,  formulation,  monitoring,  and  evaluation  of  national  policies  and  programmes  aimed  at  improving  the  entrepreneurial  and  technical  skills  of  micro,  small  and  medium  enterprises  (MSMEs), particularly the youth,  in  line  with  the  government's  economic  and  social  development agenda.  MoBD  exists  to  create  an  enabling  environment  that  fosters  private  sector-led  investment  for  nurturing  and  sustaining  businesses  through  the  initiation,  formulation,  monitoring,  and  evaluation  of  business policies for job creation  and improving livelihoods The  objectives  of  the  ministry  are  being  pursued  through  some  well-thought-out  initiatives and programmes. Key  among  these  is  the  National  Entrepreneurship  and  Innovation  Programme  (NEIP),  which  was  established  to  facilitate  the  development  of  new  businesses  and  assist  their  growth  into  top  competitive

brands. Businesses  that  emerge  from  this  initiative  receive  ﬁnancing  and  business  development  services,  and  are  assisted to tap into a wide supply  chain  and  network,  helping  to  create  jobs  at  a  widely  distributed national level. The  NEIP  is  set  within  the  context  of  Ghana's  long-term  strategic  vision  of  consolidating  its  middle-income  status  and  building  an  industry-driven  economy  capable  of  providing  decent jobs that are suitable and  sustainable for development.  The  NEIP  is  being  run  on  four  strategic  modules,  namely,  NEIP  Incubation  and  Acceleration  Programme,  NEIP  Business  Competition  and  Business  Support  Programme,  NEIP  Industrialisation  Plan,  and  the NEIP Fund. NEIP  Incubation  and  Acceleration  Programme:  This  module  provides  a  subsidised  workspace  for  young  entrepreneurs  which  is  resourced  with  business  development  facilities,  meeting  rooms,  conference  rooms,  shared  oﬃce  space  and  other  related services. NEIP  Business  Competition  and  Business  Support Programme: This is a  competitive  activity  for  earlystage  businesses,  from  which  workable  ideas  are  selected  for

admission  into  Incubator  Hubs  and  receive  funding  on  set  criteria. NEIP  Industrialisation:  This  module  works  on  the  establishment  of  an  industrial  sub-contracting exchange to link  large  industries  in  the  supply  chain  process,  and  to  enable  start-ups  become  the  supply  chain  for  goods  and  services  to  feed the large industries. The  Fund:  A  privatelymanaged  fund  under  the  supervision and management of  NEIP  and  the  Ministry  for  Business  Development,  which  will  mobilise  funds  through  government  support,  grants  from  international  agencies  and  the  private  sector  to  the  serve  the  broader  purpose  of  the  programme. The Presidential Pitch Another  innovation  of  the  Business  Development  Ministry  to  groom  budding  entrepreneurs  in  the  country  is  its  annual  Presidential  Pitch  Competition. The contest targets  the youth between the ages of 1835  and  is  aimed  at  realising  government's  ambition  to  unleash  an  entrepreneurial  revolution in the country. The  project  is  in  line  with  the  President  of  Ghana,  Nana  Addo  Dankwa  Akufo-Addo's  vision  of  assisting  young  entrepreneurs  to  incubate  their  business  ideas  and  improve

livelihoods. The  programme  seeks  to  support  young  entrepreneurs  with  funding  to  boost  their  businesses  for  job  creation.  It  is  also  to  build  an  entrepreneurship  eco-system  that  fosters  and  encourages  young  people  to  be  business  owners and not job seekers. According to the Minister for  Business  Development,  Dr.  Ibrahim  Mohammed  Awal,  the  programme  is  meant  to  provide  soft  funding  for  young  entrepreneurs  who  have  brilliant ideas but lack the funds  to execute them. “Under  seasons  one  and  two,  460  jobs  were  created  by  the 20 people we supported. We  gave  them  the  money,  they  had  the  ideas  and  implemented  it,  and  that  created  jobs.  Ghana  is  largely  a  youthful  country  with  over  60  percent  of  the  people  being  below  30  years.  The  President  wants  to  build  conﬁdence  in  the  youth  to  be  business owners,” he said in his  assessment  of  the  impact  of  the  initiative. Young  Ghanaian  entrepreneurs  with  brilliant  business  ideas  across  the  country  are  eligible  to  apply  in  each  year's  pitch  with  their  simple  basic  business  plan,  which  should  be  feasible,  innovative,  scalable,  and  have  high prospects for job creation.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Ghana's Greatest Entrepreneur of All Time  Sir Sam Esson Jonah Executive Chairman  Jonah Capital

amuel  Jonah  is  one  of  Africa's  leading  businessmen.  He  is  currently  Executive  Chairman  of  Jonah  Capital  (Pty)  Limited,  an  investment  holding  company  in  South  Africa,  and  is  former  President  of  Anglo  Gold  Ashanti Limited.  Born  and  educated  in  Ghana, in 1979 he obtained a

Master's  degree  in  Management  from  Imperial  College,  London,  following  which  he  worked  for  Ashanti  Goldﬁelds.  An  Honorary  Knighthood  was conferred on him by Her  Majesty  the  Queen  in  2003  and in 2006 he was awarded  Ghana's  highest  national  award, the Companion of the  Order of the Star of the Volta.

Mr. Dan Koﬁ Okudzeto  Executive Chairman  Allied Oil Company Ltd

an  Kofi  Okudzeto  is  the  founder  and  Executive  Chairman  of  Allied  Oil  Company  Limited  (Allied),  Oil  Channel  Limited,  Danicom  Limited  and  Options  Mart  Limited.  Wholly  owned  Ghanaian  companies  he  has  seen  from  inception  to  the  successful  mainstays  in  the  Oil  and Gas industry. He has over 35  years  of  executive  level  management  and  a  wealth  of  entrepreneurial experience.  Allied  Oil  Co.  Ltd  ,The  first  indigenous  Oil  Marketing  Company  (OMC)  in  Ghana,  Oil  Channel  Ltd  -Bulk  Distribution  Company,  Danicom  Ltd  OilHaulage  Company  Options  Mart  Ltd-Grocery Shop  Under  his  astute  leadership,  each  of  Okudzeto's  indigenous  companies  has  achieved  enviable  successes  as  major  players in the Oil and Gas sector  in  Ghana.  He  is  credited  as  the  first Ghanaian to secure an OMC  license,  thereby  opening  doors  for  over  100  several  other  local  OMCs  to  participate  in  an  industry  that  today  contributes  over  GH¢  800  million  annually  to  the  nation's  coffers  according

to  the  Association  of  Oil  Marketing  Companies  of  Ghana (AOMC).  This  was  once  an  industry  solely  reserved  for  multinationals  until  Mr.  Okudzeto  broke  and  changed the trend. Turning  his  start-ups  into  corporate  giants  and  trendsetters  in  the  Oil  and  Gas  industry  in  Ghana,  Okudzeto  has  positively  impacted  society  through  job  creation,  having  amassed  combined  work  force  of  over  1,000.  Dedicated  employees,  partner  and  shareholder efforts have seen to  combined  annual  revenue  of  hundreds  of  millions.  He  has  genuine  interest  in  supporting  talent  and  human  capital,  recognizing his work force as the  backbone  and  future  of  the  companies.  As  a  manager,  Okudzeto  is  down-to-earth  and  revered  as  a  straight  shooting  decision-maker, who in a volatile  industry  like  Oil  and  Gas  has  a  steady  hand  in  the  face  of  adversity.  He  creates  superior  value  for  all  his  brands  by  making sure staff morale is high,  consumer  confidence  is  unshaken  and  investors'  interests  are  taken  care  of.  A  strong  believer  in  giving  back,  Okudzeto  champions  community service and lends his  support  to  social  efforts  that  improve Ghana and the world at  large.  A  man  of  many  interests,  Okudzeto  also  has  great  investments in the Ghanaian real  estate  industry,  providing  office

spaces  for  some  of  the  nation's  most  longstanding  companies  like  Ghana  Commercial  Bank,  First Bank of Nigeria, Prudential  Bank  and  residences  in  prime  neighborhoods  in  Accra.  Though  Okudzeto  has  invested  hugely  in  automating  business  operations in his companies,  he  prefers  the  old-fashioned  way  when  it  comes  to  personal  interaction  -  preferring  a  phone  call  or  a  face-to-face  meeting  to  an e-mail because to him there's  nothing  better  than  hearing  people's  voices  or  looking  them  straight  in  the  eyes.  Okudzeto  remains a forceful presence in all  of  his  companies,  seeing  them  through  challenges  to  triumph.  In October 2014, he launched the  new  Allied  Oil  brand  –  Allied.  A  great  achievement  celebrated  in  grand  style  amongst  renowned  captains  of  industry.  Joy  FM  described  the  launch  in  one  of  their  publications  as  one  of  the  grandest launches in the Oil and  Gas  industry.  The  need  for  rebranding  came  after  16  successful  years  in  operation  and  as  a  way  to  revamp  the  company, allowing it to compete  squarely with foreign oil and gas  companies.  The  new  Allied  is  a  stellar improvement to customer  experience,  oﬀering  ultra-tier  performance  additive-infused  fuel  at  no  added  cost  so  people  can  DRIVE  MORE  and  improve  their vehicles and mileage.  This  was  made  possible  by  being  in  partnership  with  Afton  Chemical. It is worth noting that  back  in  1995  Mr.  Okudzeto  won  the  National  Level  Best  Peddler

Mr.  Jonah  serves  on  the  boards  of  various  public  and  private  companies,  including  Vodafone  Group  Plc  and  a  member  of  the  Global  Advisory Council of the Bank  of America.  Formerly a Director of the  Standard  Bank  Group,  Lonmin  and  AngloAmerican  Group (South Africa)

Award  for  Volta  region.  In  a  citation given to him, Goil noted  in  their  own  words  “On  the  quiet, you have been working so  hard and successfully across the  whole  country.  You  are  the  source  of  light  to  many  a  household  in  the  rural  areas.  Even  in  the  exceptionally  lean  periods  when  kerosene  was  being rationed, you were able to  meet  the  company's  sales  targets.  Indeed  Goil  is  proud  of  you. We therefore confer on you  the honour of being the best Goil  peddler of the year 1995”.  In  2014,  He  won  the  “Lifetime  Achievement  Award”  and  his  Company,  Allied  Oil,  won  the  “Brand  of  the  Year”  from  the  Ghana  Oil  and  Gas  Awards  (GOGA). In  2016,  Mr.  Dan  Koﬁ  Okudzeto  also,  won  the  “Business  Quality  Leadership  in  Oil  and  Gas  Award”, from the Entrepreneurs  Foundation of Ghana.  Now  in  his  70s,  Okudzeto  shows  no  sign  of  slowing  down  but has a piqued attentiveness in  what matters most to him in life.  He adores his longtime wife of 4  decades  and  is  a  proud  and  loving father to his children one  of  whom  he  has  groomed  recently  handed  over  to  as  CEO  of Allied. Outside of business, he  loves  the  great  outdoors  taking  keen  interest  in  boat  rides  and  walking.  Indeed  the  story  of  Ghana's  oil  industry  cannot  be  written  without a well paid tribute to the  man  honorably  referred  to  as  “the  Old  Man  or  Uncle  Dan”  among his peers OMC owners.

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Dr. Anthony Pile   Chairman  Blue Skies Holdings

nthony Pile is the Founder  and  Chairman  of  Blue  Skies,  a  leading  manufacturer  of  fresh-cut  fruit,  freshly squeezed juice, and dairyfree  ice-cream,  with  eleven  operations  in  seven  countries,  including  Ghana,  Egypt,  South  Africa, Benin, Ivory Coast, the UK  and  Senegal.  Blue  Skies  supplies  leading  retailers  around  the  world,  including  Waitrose,  Tesco  and Sainsbury's in the UK, Albert  Heijn  in  the  Netherlands  and  Carrefour in France.

The  company  is  built  on  the  principle  of  value-adding  at  source.  This  means  that  Blue

Skies  aims  to  make  the  ﬁnished  product  in  the  countries  where  the  fruit  grows, rather than exporting  only  the  raw  material  and  processing  it  elsewhere.  By  doing  this,  the  business  retains  75%  of  the  value  of  the  ﬁnished  product  in  the  country of origin as opposed  to  only  15%  if  processed  overseas. This approach also  enables  the  business  to  deliver  a  better  quality  fruit  that  is  delivered  'fresh  from  harvest',  from  farm  to  store  within as little as 36 hours.

Anthony  was  a  soldier  in  the  British Army for 13 years and saw  active service in the Middle East,  Northern Ireland and Cyprus. He  has  been  a  magistrate,  attended  the  post  graduate  Sloan  Fellowship  Programme  at  the  London Business School and was  the Managing Director of Orchard  House  Foods  from  1989  to  1996.  In 1997, he founded Blue Skies in  Ghana  and  has  grown  the  company  over  the  last  20  years  into  a  company  employing  over  5,000  people  with  a  turnover  of  £120m.

Accomplishment.  Early in 1998, long before the  growing interest of the general  public  and  media  in  these  issues,  he  already  developed  his  model  for  sustainable  business,  “Joint  Effort  Enterprise”  ( JEE).  Ever  since,  a  set  of  principles  around  three  core  values  –  diversity,  respect  and  profit  –  have  largely  influenced  the  formation  of  the  company's  culture,  and  Blue  Skies  has  been recognized by a number  of  international  award  bodies   for  its  responsible  relationships with farmers, its  respect  for  the  environment  and  more  largely,  its  social  impact.  His  initiatives  have  created  jobs  for  lots  of  people  across  Africa directly and for several  other  thousands  indirectly.  From  the  humble  beginnings  of 35 people in Ghana in 1998,  the  staff  population  has  soared  to  a  global  network  of  over 5000.”  The  Foundation  in  the  past  decades  has  completed  over  100  projects  including  the

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provision  of  the  only  Agricultural  Resource  Centre  at  the  Yilo  Krobo  Area  of  the  Eastern  region,  over  25  schools across regions, clinics,  Toilets,  water  etc.  for  several  communities in Ghana.   Championed  a  sustainability  agenda  that  has  led  to  four  “Queens  Awards  for  Enterprise”  given  by  Her  Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in  recognition  of  the  Blue  Skies  approach to sustainability.  On  a personal level, Anthony was  also  awarded  an  MBE  for  Services  to  International  Business.  The ﬁrst to organize a group of  Farmers  in  Africa  to  get  then  group  EUREPGAP  certiﬁcate  now GLOBAL GAP.   Blue Skies  now works with over 350 farm  in  Ghana  purchasing  over  28,000 tonnes of fruit a year.  Established the only company  that supplies fresh cut fruit to  major  supermarkets  in  Europe  with  36  hours  from  the  farm  to  the  consumer.   Said already?

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Alhaji Yusif Ibrahim  Executive Chairman   Dara Salam Group of Companies

future business endeavours.

lhaji  Yusif  Ibrahim  was  born  on  15th  May  1947  in  Kumasi.  He  had  his  Primary  and  Elementary  school  education at the Anglican Middle  School  (Kumasi)  and  completed  in  the  year  1962.  Alhaji  pursued  his  secondary  school  education  at  the  Ahmadiya  Secondary  School  (Kumasi)  where  he  completed  in  1967.  He  then  travelled  to  the  United  States  of  America  in  1969  to  further  his  education.

He  joined  Cowen  and  Company,  Battery  Park  in  New  York  for  some  months,  whilst  at  Cowen  and Company he took to 'cabbing'  on part time basis to supplement  his  income  which  was  insuﬃcient. By dint of hard work  he  soon  bought  two  taxis  and  started  building  up  capital  for

Alhaji  left  New  York  in  the  year  1974  and  went  to  Nottingham in the U.K to buy  tankers  with  which  he  started  transporting  fuel  from  the  Tema  Oil  Reﬁnery  in  1975  to  the  B.P  Depot  in  Kumasi.  The  transporting  business  gave  birth  and  made  way  for  the  establishment  of  a  bicycle  plant  in  Tamale  which  is  in  the  Northern  part  of  the  Country in 1976, this brought  about the emergence of what we  call  today  a  conglomerate  –  the  DARA  SALAM  GROUP  OF  COMPANIES LTD.

From  humble  beginnings,  Alhaji  has  risen  to  become  a  successful  business  Executive  with  a  number  of  portfolios  notably  amongst them being:

 Majority  Single  Shareholder  and  CHAIRMAN,  Guaranty  Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd

 EXECUTIVE  CHAIRMAN,  and  OWNER  of  the  Dara  Salam  Group  of  Companies  comprising of: -  Dara  Salam  Estates  Ltd  (aLeading  Real  Estates  Development Company)

-  J.  L  Morrison  Son  &  Jones  Ltd  (a  Pharmaceutical

Company)

-  Capital  Alliance  Company  Ltd  (a  Non-banking  Financial Institution)

-  Hume  Fulgrip  Company  Ltd ( a Concrete producing  Company)

-  Busi  and  Stephson  Ghana  Ltd  (a  Wood  Treatment  factory, Energy)

-  Daboya  Company  Ltd  (a  Company  providing  Warehousing Facility)

-  African  Transformers  Limited(  the  only  Transformer  Producing  Company in Ghana)

 SHAREHOLDER,  African  Export  Import  Bank  in  Cairo,  Egypt

 FOUNDER,  and  former  PartOwner,    Meridian  BIAO  Bank  now Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd

 CHAIRMAN,  of  the  Presidential  Committee  on  University  Of  Development  Studies  (UDS)  Endowment  Fund

 Former  CHAIRMAN,  Strategic  African  Securities  Company Limited

 Served  as  a  Member  on  the  African  Development  Bank  as  one of the ﬁrst Advisory Body  appointed by the President to  advice on how to extend credit

to  the  Private  Sector  and  he  was  also  invited  by  the  Veterans  Association  of  the  United  States  of  America  to  address  their  Convention  in  Washington in the 90's.

 Former  CHAIRMAN  of  the  Board  of  Junior  Achievement  Ghana

 Former  CHAIRMAN  and  FOUNDER,  Madison  General  Insurance Ghana Limited now  Metropolitan  Insurance  Company

 Former  CHAIRMAN  and  FOUNDER,  Wade  Adams  Construction Ghana Limited

 Former  member  of  the  board  of  Trustees  ,  University  Of  Ghana Institute Of Institute Of  Statistical,  Social  And  Economic Research (ISSER)

 Former  CAPTAIN,  and  now  a  Trustee of the Accra Polo Club

 Owner  of  Osagyefo  Leadership  International  School - Labone

 Awarded  by  the  former  President  of  Ghana,  His  Excellency  John  Agyekum  Kuﬀuor  as  a  Renowned  Industrialist with The Order of  the  Volta  on  the  1st  of  July  2007.

 Former  board  member  Nsia  Insurance Company limited.

Proﬁle

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Prof. Edmund Nminyem    Founder & Board Chairman   Rabito Clinic

Prof  Delle  is  a  recipient  of  numerous  local  and  international  awards  including:  In  2002  the  American  Biographical  Institute  (ABI)  enlisted  him  into  the Hall of Fame

rofessor  Edmund  Nminyem  Delle  was  born  on  November  18,  1943  in  Nandom  in  the  Upper  West  Region  of  Ghana.  He  is  the  Founder,  Board  Chairman  and  Chief  Medical  Oﬃcer  of  Rabito  Clinic, which he founded in 1974.  Professor  Edmund  Nminyem  Delle,  is  also  a  Pan  Africanist,  Politician,  Academia,  Businessman,  Philanthropist  and  above  all  an  acclaimed  Statesman.  BACKGROUND  AND  EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Prof. Delle started his educational  foundation  in  Nandom.  Through  the  support  of  his  mentor,  his  Eminence, the late Cardinal Peter  Prekuu Dery, Prof. Delle received  a  full  scholarship  to  study  at  the  University  of  Padua  in  Italy,  where  he  obtained  his  Doctor  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  degree  in  1970.  Thereafter,  he  obtained  a  post-graduate  diploma  in  Tropical Medicine at the Institute  of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp,  Belgium  and  a  Diploma  in  Skin  and  Venereal  Diseases  (DSVD)  at  the  University  of  Padua  in  1972.  He  was  appointed  a  Resident  Medical  Oﬃcer  and  Lecturer  in  Skin Diseases at the University of  Padua from 1972 to 1974.  THE  BIRTH  CLINIC

RABITO

Upon  his  return  home  after  acquiring  academic  and  professional  experience,  he  started  a  private  medical  practice,  Rabito  Clinic  in  Ghana  in  1974.  This  was  in  fulﬁlment  of  his  childhood  dream  to  invest  in  Africa  and  serve  his  people.  He  named  the  clinic  after  his  academic and career mentor Prof  Caologero Rabito, formerly of the  University  of  Padua,  Italy.  Prof.  Delle is known for his expertise in  the  treatment  of  complex  dermatological cases.  AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

 In  2006  he  was  awarded  the  Marie  Curie  Award  by  the  I n t e r n a t i o n a l  Biographical  Centre  (IBC)

 In  2007  the  Ghana  Medical  and  Dental  Council's  Life  Time Achievement Award.

 In  2013,  Prof  Delle  was  adjudged  the  Health  and  Medical  Services  Entrepreneur of the year by  the  Entrepreneurs  Foundation of Ghana.

 In  2015  was  decorated  and  inducted  into  the  Ghana  Entrepreneur  Awards  distinguished Hall of Fame.

 In 2016, he was decorated as  the  Upper  West  Region  Business  Icon  during  the  Ghana  Business  Quality  Awards 2017.

 Prof.  Delle's  contribution  to  healthcare  services  also  includes  research  on  the  impact  of  bleaching  on  the  skin.   INTERNATIONAL BODIES

Prof  Delle  is  a  member  of  many  national  and  international  professional bodies:   Fellow  of  the  American  Association  of  Dermatologists  (FAAD) (1986);

 Commissioner  for  the  International  Commission  for  H e a l t h  P r o f e s s i o n a l s  (ICHP),  an  aﬃliate  of  the  World  Health  O r g a n i s a t i o n  (WHO) in 1989.

 He  is  also  a  F o u n d i n g  Member  of  the  A f r i c a n  Association  of  Dermatologists  and  served  as  its  Vice-President  and  Secretary  General  between  1991  and  1997,  respectively;

 He  is  a  member  of  the  British  Association  of  Dermatologists

(MBAD) (1992).

 He is a Founding Member and  a former National Secretary of  the  Ghana  Society  of  Dermatologists;



He is a Foundation Fellow  of  the  Ghana  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeon  (2005).

HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS  PROMOTER

Prof.  Delle  has  been  honoured  over  the  years  for  his  dedication  and  achievements  in  Health  and  Human Rights.   He  jointly  founded  the  African  Commission  of  Health  and  Human  Rights  Promoters  (CAPSDH)  with  Dr.  Mohammed  Ibn  Chambers  and  Mutawakilu  Idrissu  in  1991  to  combat  human  rights  abuses,  STDS,  and  health  problems  at  the  time  of  political  upheavals  across Africa.

 He  is  currently  President  of  the  African  Commission  of  Health  and  Human  Rights  Promoters,  Ghana  (CAPSDH) which through his  instrumentality  has  so  far  created treatment centers in  ten  out  of  the  sixteen  Regions in Ghana.

 CAPSDH  under  the  leadership of Prof. Delle has  provided  assistance  throughout  Africa  in  the  form  of  counselling,  food,  clothing  and  shelter  to  victims  of  human  rights  abuse.  It  has  also  increased  awareness  of  health  and  human  right  issues  through  lectures  and  symposia  in

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

diﬀerent communities.

 Prof Delle is a devout Roman  Catholic  and  served  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Catholic  Standard  for  23years,  Board  Chairman  of  the  Catholic  Centre  for  Hope  for  the  Aged,  Sick,  and  Needy  in  Society. During his tenure as  a  Secretary  of  the  Catholic  Doctors Guilds of Ghana, he  organised  the  ﬁrst  PanAfrican Congress of Catholic  Doctors in Ghana in 1984.  POLITICAL  AFFILIATION  AND  ACTIVITIES  Prof  Delle  is  a  founding  member  of  the  revived  Convention People's Party.

 He  successfully  served  for  two  terms  as  National  Chairman  and  Leader  of  the  party.

 He served as Chairman of the  Board  of  Directors  for  the  Standard  Magazine  and  Newspapers  Limited  from  1976  to  1999.  He  is  the  Founding  Patron  of  Youth  Policy Initiative (YPI).

 Prof  Delle  was  an  Adjunct  Professor  of  Dermatology  at  the  University  for  Development  Studies  (UDS)  where  he  imparted  his  knowledge  and  experience  in  dermatology  to  young  medical trainees.

 Professor  of  Dermatology  at  the  Accra  College  of  Medicine. Above  all,  Prof.  Edmund  Nminyem  Delle  is  a  staunch  Catholic  and  a  family  man  with  ﬁve children.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Mr. Gopal Vasu Chairman & Managing Director   M&G Pharmaceuticals Limited

pharmaceutical  industry  in  the health sector, which was  then  one  of  the  priority  areas  under  Ghana  Investment  Code.  In  the  process  of  establishing  pharmaceutical industry,

r.  Gopal  Chellaram  Vasu was born just ﬁve  days  before  India  got  independence  in  1947.  He  worked as a Marketing Executive  for a couple of years with ESSO,  an  International  Oil  Company,  with branch in India. He came to  Ghana  in  1969  to  join  an  industrial  complex  manufacturing  plastic  and  leather  footwear,  packaging  materials such as containers, bag  etc. for other local industries.

Mr.  Gopal  Vasu  by  dint  of  hard  work and an alloyed devotion to  his  duties  was  appointed  a  director  of  the  company.  Mr.  Vasu  remained  with  the  company for 24years.

In 1993, Gopal Vasu together with  his colleague decided to set up a

Mr.  Gopal  Vasu  and  his  colleague  after  fulﬁlling  requirements  in  the  Ghana  Investment  Code  took  over  M & G Pharmaceuticals Ltd.  in  July  1993,  which  was  closed  down  for  21⁄2  years  due to managerial and other  problems.

On  3rd  January  1994,  with  12  employees  on  its  payroll  M  &  G  Pharmaceuticals  started  production  with  4  products  and  as  at  today  with  200  employees  (Permanent  &  Contract)  on  its  payroll  M  &  G  Pharmaceuticals  Ltd.  manufactures  75  products  namely  Tablets,  Capsules,  Syrups/Suspension  and  Blister  products for over 800 customers  which  include  Ministry  of  Health,  Ghana  Health  Service,  Christian  Health  Association  of  Ghana,  Mission  Hospitals,  Private  Hospitals  and  Clinics,  Pharmacy  Shops  and  licensed  Over  The  Counter  (OTC)  medicine  sellers  in  all  the  districts  of  Ghana  with  major  distributors  situated  in  the  16

regional  capitals.  The  company  has also started export to Liberia  and Gambia and also registering  pharmaceutical  products  to  all  Ecowas countries in sub Region.

Mr. Vasu is a pioneer in as far as  the  promotion  of  “Made-in-  Ghana”  products  and  services  are  concerned. Mr. Vasu is a Co-Founder and the  Chairman  of  M  &  G  Pharmaceuticals  Ltd;  a  Member  of  National  Executive  Council  of  the  Association  of  Ghana  Industries  (AGI).  He  is  a  Past  Treasurer  of  West  African  Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association  (WAPMA)  and  Past  Vice President of Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association  of  Ghana (PMAG).

In August 2005, during the 70th  Anniversary  celebration  of  Pharmaceutical  Society  of  Ghana,  our  Chairman  &  Managing  Director,  Mr.  Gopal  Vasu  was  conferred  Honorary  Membership  of  Pharmaceutical  Society of Ghana.

In May 2013, Mr. Gopal Vasu won  the Best Entrepreneur of the year  award  in  Pharmaceuticals  &  Healthcare  Industry  category,  from  Entrepreneurs  Foundation  of Ghana.

In  2015,  the  Pharmaceutical

Dr. Nana Michael Agyekum Addo    Chairman  Mikaddo Holdings Ltd

Dr. Addo Agyekum has been  a member and the Chairman  of  The  Pentecost  University  College Council for 12years.

ana Dr. Addo Agyekum is  the  Nkabomhene  of  the  New  Juaben  Traditional  Area  (Koforidua  Municipal  Assembly)  in  the  Eastern  Region  of  Ghana  from  2013  to  January,  2017;  Nana  was  the  Chairman  of  the Ghana Investment Promotion  Centre (GIPC).

Nana  with  his  volunteering  spirit and selﬂess nature has  been  the  National  President  of  the  Ghana  Red  Cross  Society  (GRCS)  from  2013  to  2019  and  is  currently  a  member  of  the  Election  Committee  on  the  International  Federation  of  Red Cross Societies (IFRC).

Currently,  under  his  Excellency  Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's  administration,  Nana  Dr.  Addo  Agyekum  has  been  appointed  a  member of the governing council  andchairmanoftheAuditCommitt eeoftheCouncilfor  Scientiﬁc  and  Industrial Research (CSIR).

Dr. Addo Agyekum is a proud old  student  of  Ghana  Secondary  School  in  Koforidua.  He  successfully  completed  his  First  Degree in Pharmacy from the

Kwame  Nkrumah  University  of  Science and Technology (KNUST)  in 1977 and holds a Postgraduate  Diploma  in  Industrial  Management  from  the  Kwame  Nkrumah  University  of  Science  and Technology (KNUST) in 1982.  Nana  Doctor  Addo  Agyekum  holds  a  Master  of  Arts  in  Industrial  Management  from  the  same university in the year 2000.  Currently,  He  is  pursuing  a  PHD  III  at  the  University  of  Ghana  (Business School).

Nana  Dr.  Addo  Agyekum  is  a  Pharmacist,  a  fellow  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Society,  a  member  of  the  election

Manufacturers  Association  of  Ghana  (PMAG)  presented  a  citation to Mr. Gopal Vasu for his  invaluable  contribution  to  the  pharmaceutical  industry  in  Ghana.

Mr.  Gopal  Vasu  was,  in  2016,  specially  recognized  and  awarded  by  the  West  African  Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers'  Association  (W.A.P.M.A)  for  his  outstanding  contribution  to  manufacturing  of  pharmaceutical products in West  Africa.

In February 2018, Mr. Gopal Vasu  was awarded the “Personality of  the  Year”  during  the  maiden  Ghana  Pharma  Awards.  In  the  same  year,  The  Business  Executive  Ltd  selected  Mr.  Vasu  as the ﬁrst runner up in the “Most  Respected CEOs.”

In June 2019, Mr. Gopal Vasu was  awarded  for  his  outstanding  contribution  to  the  Pharmaceutical  Industry  by  the  same Ghana Pharma Awards.

The most recent of the awards is  one  where  he  was  adjudged  the  Most  Respected  CEO  in  the  Pharmaceutical  industry  at  the  Ghana  Industry  CEO  Awards  held  in  Accra  on  the  29th  of  November 2019 by The Business  Executive Ltd.

committee  International  Federation  for  Red  Cross  Society  (IFRC),  a  fellow  of  West  Africa  Post  Graduate  College  of  Pharmacists,  serves  on  the  governing  board  of  the  Ministry  of  Education  and  Universal  Merchant Bank Foundation and a  lecturer  of  Entrepreneurship  at  the University of Ghana, Legon.

He is an author of the popular “7  Principles  of  Success  and  Wealth  Creation”,  as  well  as  “The  Winning  Attitude  and  Etiquette  for  All”,  “Fundamentals  of  Entrepreneurship  Books  1&2”  and  a  resource  person  on  Radio  and  Television  programs  on  Entrepreneurship  and  Youth  Empowerment.

Dr. Addo Agyekum is the Founder  and CEO of Kama Industries Ltd.  now Mikaddo Holdings Ltd.

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Entrepreneurs of the Decade

Dr. Daniel McKorley  Executive Group Chairman  McDan Group / McDan Foundation    brilliant  but  needy  students  in  Basic  and  Tertiary  institutions,  investing  in  youth  e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p  through  the  McDan  Challenge,  paying  medical  bills  of  thousands  of  needy  patients,  empowering  street  children  with  skills  development  among many others.

r.  Daniel  McKorley  is  an  a c c o m p l i s h e d ,  inﬂuential  Business  leader  with  global  perspective,  avid  promoter  of  youth  entrepreneurship  for  wealth  creation  and  stellar  philanthropist  whose  benevolence works bring hope to  millions  of  deprived  homes  across  Ghana  and  Africa.  His  diverse  portfolio  of  Investments  cut  across  Shipping,  Logistics,  Aviation,  Oil  and  Gas,  Security,  Construction,  Real  estates  and  still counting! He is the Executive  Chairman  of  the  McDan  Group  and McDan Foundation.

Today  the  McDan  brand  has  become  a  household  name  synonymous  with  Can-do  spirit,  Excellence, Integrity, Generosity,  Tenacity with purpose, a Positive  attitude to life and more critically  inspiring  countless  Youth  across  Africa  to  dream  Big  through  entrepreneurship.

Dr.  Daniel  McKorley  was  born  and raised in Labadi, a suburb of  Accra,  Ghana.  He  holds  an  Honorary  Doctorate  Degree  in  Leadership  from  the  Commonwealth  University,  London  Business  School,  an  Executive  Masters  in  Business

Administration  (EMBA)  and  Bachelors  in  Entrepreneurship  both from the Ghana Institute of  Management  and  Public  Administration  (GIMPA)  as  well  as  a  Diploma  in  a  Leadership  from  Lehigh  University,  Pennsylvania, USA.

A  distinguished  and  highly  sought  after  motivational  speaker  on  Leadership,  Youth  Empowerment  and  Entrepreneurship,  Sports  Development,  Mentorship,  Investment  promotion,  developing  positive  attitude  to  Successful life, Business Strategy,  Et  al.  Dr.  McKorley  serves  on  several private and public Boards  and consults for many blue chip  Companies and SMEs.

Dr. McKorley's heart is known for  what he does best – giving back to  Society.  The  establishment  of  McDan  Foundation  reﬂects  his  deepest  passion  to  restore  hope  to  the  poor  and  vulnerable  in  Society.  He  has  invested  over  4  million  Dollars  in  many  charitable  works  including  constructing  new  classroom  blocks  for  rural  communities,  building  modern  astro  turfs  to  promote sports development for  the youth, enrolling thousands of

His  vision  is  to  inspire  and  empower  more  young  people  to  believe  in  themselves  by  supporting  them  with  funding  through  the  McDan  Equity  Fund  and  hand-hold  them  into  becoming  not  only  conglomerates  but  multi-millionaires.  Dr.  McKorley  believes  it  is  the  responsibility  of  those  who  have  been  blessed  to  invest  in  others  so  Africa  can  leap  frog  from  a  3rd  world  to  a  ﬁrst  world.  He  is  indeed  a  living  testimony of touching millions of  lives across Ghana with his giving  back to

society  agenda.  His  Charitable  works  have  endeared  him  to  various  Traditional  authorities,  having thus being enstooled as a  development Chief of Ada under  the  stool  name  of  Nene  Koranteng Kabu 1 and also Gugba  Naa of Tamale.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS  He  has  won  several  Awards  including the following:  2019  Dr.  McKorley  is  the  reigning  Chartered  Institute  of  Marketing  Ghana  (CIMG)  marketing  man  of  the  year,  having  won  the  award  in  September this year.  2019 EMY Awards - Magnet  Award  (Man  of  the  year—Business)   2018 At the 'Ghana National  Chamber of Commerce and  Industry  (GCCI)  Awards'  ceremony  held  in  2018,  he  was  felicitated  with  the  Chamber  Businessman  of  the year 2017.   2018  Chamber  Business



 

Man of the year

2018  Ghana  Shippers  Awards The CEO of the Year,  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  (CSR)  of  the  Year,  Outstanding  Shipper  of the Year

2018  Ghana  Entrepreneur  &  Corporate  Executive  Awards-  Overall  Best  Entrepreneur  of  the  Year  A w a r d 2017  Sustainability  &  Social  Investment  Awards  –  Best  Sports  &  Leisure  Mentoring  Program

2017  Sustainability  &  Social  Investment  Awards  –  Best  Company  in  providing  Educational  facilities 2017  Ghana  Club  100  Number 36 best Company,

2017 UK Ghana Chamber of  Commerce  -  Logistics  Company  of  the  Year 2017  Ghana  National  Aviation  Awards  -  Freight  Forwarder of the Year

2017  League  of  African  Development  Studies  –  African Patriotic Personality 2017  Leads  Merit  Awards  –  Corporate  Mandate  Delivery Awards

2017  Diamond  Jubilee  Business  Leaders  Excellence  Awards;  Special  Award  in  recognition  of  outstanding  contribution  to  the  economic  development  of  Ghana  via  Trade  Facilitation

2017  Ghana  Shippers  Awards  –  Brand  of  the  Year 2017  Ghana  Shippers  Awards  –  Entrepreneur  of  the  Year  2017  Ghana  Shippers  Awards  –  Excellence  in  Corporate  Social Responsibility

2017    Exclusive  Men  of  the  Year  –  Third  Special  Recognition Award

2017  Tourism  Top  100  Personalities  in  West  Africa  –  Most  Inﬂuential  person  in  Africa

2017.  SWAG  Awards  Corporate Award

2017  Maritime  Cargo  Services  Provider  of  the  Year:  4th  Business  Executive  Excellence  awards

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Togbe Afede XIV Founder SAS Finance Group

ogbe  Afede  is  a  s e a s o n e d  Investment  Banker  with  experience  spanning  over twenty (20) years.

Togbe serves on the boards  of  Africa  Agribusiness  Partnership  (AFAP),  Accra  Hearts  of  Oak  (Chairman),  Africa  World  Airlines  (CoChairman),  Ensign  College  of  Public  Health,  National  Investment  Bank  Limited  (Chairman),  Pioneer  Kitchenware  Ltd  (Chairman),  World  Trade

Centre  Accra  (Chairman),  Sunon  Asogli  Power  (Ghana)  Ltd,  World  Trade  Centre  Association  (Director),amongst others.

He  was  on  the  board  of  Bank  of  Ghana  between  2004  and  2013  and  a  member of the President's

Economic  Advisory  Council between 2009 and  2013.

He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Government  Transition  Team  and  the  Head of the Committee on

the  Economy,  January  –  March,  2009.  As  the  Chairman  of  a  three-man  interim  Ministry  of  Finance  management  team,  he  led  the  Ministry  team  to  prepare  the  draft  budget for 2009.

He  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Science degree in Business  Administration  from  the  University  of  Ghana  Business  School,  Legon,  Ghana,  and  an  MBA  from  the prestigious Yale School  of Management, USA

Dr. Ernest Bediako Sampong

Founder / Chief Executive Ofﬁcer    Ernest Chemist

was  only  an  importer  and  distributor of pharmaceutical  and healthcare products.

Ernest  Bediako  Sampong  ventured  into  P h a r m a c e u t i c a l  Manufacturing  in  the  year  2001,  which  helped  diversify  his business (ECL) into 3 main  divisions  -  Manufacturing,  Trading  (Retailing  &  Distribution) and Exports.

rnest  Bediako  Sampong,  Founder  and  Chief  Executive  Oﬃcer  of  Ernest  Chemists  Limited  (ECL)  is  a  Pharmacist  by  profession  and,  an  impeccable  entrepreneur  with  over  30  years'  experience  in  the  Pharmaceutical  industry.  He  established  Ernest  Chemists  Limited  (ECL);  a  wholly  owned  Ghanaian  company  in  the  year  1986  as  a  sole  proprietorship.  In  1993,  it  became  a  limited  liability  company.  During  this  period,  he

Through  his  credibility  and  hard  work,  Ernest  Bediako  Sampong  has  led  ECL  to  partner  reputable  Multinational  Companies  such  as  GlaxoSmithKline  (GSK),  AstraZeneca,  Roche,  Novartis,  Unilever (Europe), Danone, Avent  (Philips),  Johnson  &  Johnson,  Merck  among  others,  either  as  a  distributor,  contract  manufacturer  or  packaging  of  their products.

With  a  brand  promise  of  “Providing Quality and Aﬀordable  Medicines”,  Ernest  Bediako

Sampong has taken up the task to  ensure  that,  the  ECL  brand  delivers on this promise. He leads  ECL  to  achieve  this  through  his  strategy  of  developing  a  visible  brand  that  serves  all  segments  of  the  market/society  in  an  ultramodern one stop shop.

His  visionary  leadership  and  strategy,  has  moved  ECL  from  a  one  sales  outlet  to  a  business  entity  with  retails  and  wholesales  across Ghana.

He is committed to contributing to  the  growth  of  the  pharmaceutical  industry  in  Africa  and  improving  health care delivery by supporting  worthy  courses.  Few  of  such  supports  has  been  a  recent  Donation  to  the  COVID  19  Trust  Fund  set  up  by  the  President  of  Ghana,  donations  to  COVID  19  isolation  facilities  at  the  Greater  Accra  Regional  Hospital  (Ridge  Hospital) , Tema General Hospital  and  other  health  facilities  including  Kwahu  Atibie  Hospital,  Tamale  Teaching  Hospital,  Volta

Regional  Health  Directorate  and  Margaret  Marquart  Catholic  Hospital.

Ernest  Bediako  Sampong  had  been  appointed  on  various  Committees  and  Boards,  with  the  most  immediate  past  position  being  the  President  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers  Association  of  Ghana,  where  he  served by showing leadership and  bringing  out  his  worth  of  knowledge  in  the  areas  of  Pharmaceutical  and  Entrepreneurship.

He  has  also  had  international  and  recognitions.

many  local

He  was  adjudged  the  CEO  of  the  Year  -  Pharmaceutical  (Chief  Executive  Oﬃcers  Network,  Ghana),  Most  Inﬂuential  CEO  in  Ghana  (Ghana  Pharma  Awards),  CIMG  Marketing  Man  of  the  year  (CIMG  Awards),  Entrepreneur  of  the Year (Ghana Business Awards),  Man  of  the  Year  (EMY  Awards),  among others.

Dr. Felix Kwaku Anyah

Founder & Executive Chairman Holy Trinity Medical Centre

r.  Felix  Anyah  had  his  education  at  the  St.  John's  School,  Sekondi,  Opoku  Ware  School,  in  Kumasi  before  entering  the  University  of  Ghana  Medical  School  graduating  with  M.B.ChB.  Degree  in  1979.  After  his  houseman  ship  at  Korle-Bu

Teaching Hospital and   Eﬃa  Nkwanta  Hospital,  he  worked  at  several  private  hospitals  in  Ghana  and  Nigeria  before  establishing  the  Holy  Trinity  Medical  Centre in July 1988.  Starting  with  a  staﬀ  of  5  in  1988,  the  Holy  Trinity  Medical  Centre  grew  to  win

the  LEADER  IN  THE  PRIVATE  MEDICAL  SECTOR  AWARD  IN  GHANA  in  2003  and  LEADER  OF  THE  H E A L T H SECTOR  AWARD  IN  2009  in  the Ghana Club 100 Awards.  Holy  Trinity  Medical  Center  & SPA hasbeen a member of  Ghana  Investment

Proﬁle

Promotion  Centre's  Top  100  companies  in  Ghana.  (Ghana  Club  100  in  2003,  2004,  2005,  2006,  2007,  2008  and  2009)  and  also  winner  of  Ministry  of  Trade  Industry  President  Special  Initiatives)  Ghana  Golden  Jubilee  Business  and  Financial  Excellence  Award  in  2007.  In  2008  and  2009,  Dr.  Anyah  had  The  Nelson  Mandela  Gold  Award  for  Exemplary  Leadership  &  Transparent  Virtues as well as the Golden Star  Award  for  Exemplary  Leadership in Health Delivery in  West  Africa.  Security  Watch  Nigeria,  honored  him  with  Excellent  Service  in  Africa  in  Abuja,  Nigeria  in  2009. Prior  to  these  leadership  honors,  Dr.  Anyah  had  Dr.  Kwame  Nkrumah  Outstanding  Merit-Africa  Leadership  Award  by  the  West  Africa  Magazine  in  2004.  Dr.  Felix  Anyah  established  the  ﬁrst SPA in West Africa in 2005-  The Holy Trinity Spa and Health  Farms.  Dr.  Felix  Anyah  and  the  Holy  Trinity  Medical  Centre  earned  several  other  awards  including:   Life  Time  Achievement  in  Medical  Practice  in  Ghana  (Pillars  of  Modern  Ghana  Awards (2015)  Best  Entrepreneur  Health  Services Award (2011)   Best  Integrative  Medicine  Provider  of  the  year  2015-  (The  Business  Executive

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Excellence Awards) (2016)  The  “Most  Patronized  Medical  Tourism  Destination  in  West  Africa  (the  West  Africa  Magazine)  (2008)  The  “Best”  Health/Medical  Tourism  Destination  in  West  Africa  (West  Africa  Magazine) (2008) Special  Award  for  Promotion  of  a  Healthy  Society in Ghana (Society of  Private  Medical  and  Dental  Practitioners) (2008) Best  Health  SPA  Facility  in  West  Africa  of  the  year  2015(Gold  Category)  (The  International  Star  Quality  Awards) (2016) Made in Ghana Awards- Hall  of  Fame  Inductee-  Spa  &  Health  Service  of  the  year  2014  (Entrepreneurs  Foundation  of  Ghana)  (2015) The Platinum Award for the  Best  SPA  in  West  Africa  2010,  2011,  2012  (Tourism  and Hospitality Awards)  Best  Spa  in  Ghana  (2011)  (West Africa Magazine) Heroes  of  Distinction  Awards-TNG  Health  Personality of the year 2016  (West  Africa  International  Press Ltd.)  Hall  of  Fame  Inductee-  Medical  &  Health  Services  Honors  of  the  year  2015  (Entrepreneurs  Foundation  of Ghana- 2016) Business  Support  Health

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Services  of  the  year  2015  (Entrepreneurs  Foundation  of Ghana-2016) National  Honor-  Excellence  in  Private  Sector  Health  Care (Chartered Institute of  Marketing,  Ghana  (1999)  CIMG) National  Honor-  Contribution  to  Primary  Health  Care  in  Ghana-  (Ghana  Employers  Association (1999)  Private Health Facility of the  Year Award (People's Choice  Practitioners  (Media  Men  Ghana) (2017) Best  Integrative  Healthcare  Provider of the Year Award  (4th  Business  Executive  Excellence Awards 2017) Innovator  in  Medical  SPA  Systems  Award  (4th  Business  Executive  Excellence Awards 2017) Most  Inﬂuential  People  in  West  Africa  2017  (Top  100  Tourism  Personality  of  the  Year Award) Outstanding  Contribution  to  the  Economic  Development  of  Ghana  Health/  Tourism  Category  Awards  (Diamond  Jubilee  Business  Leaders  Excellence Awards 2017)  Excellence in Quality Health  Care  Delivery  Award  (West  Africa  Clinical  Alliance  Awards)  Quality  Leadership  in  Health Care Services Award  (Entrepreneurs  Foundation

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

of  Ghana-  5th  Ghana  Business  Quality  Awards  2017)   Seal  of  Distinction  &  Exemplary  Leadership  Award  2017(West  Africa  Nobles Forum)   Noble  Seal  of  Distinction  Medallion  (West  Africa  Nobles Forum)  Health Laureate Award- UN  Sustainable  Development  Goals  (IMPACT  AFRICA  SUMMIT GHANA 2017) Dr.  Felix  Anyah  is  a  Physician  Consultant  to  the  United  States  Immigrants Panel Physicians.  Dr.  Felix  Anyah  was  Captain  of  Industry  (Health)  in  2003  by  Ministry  of  Private  Sector  Development  President's  Special  Initiatives; (PSD).  Dr.  Anyah  was  a  member  of  the  6th  and  7th  Councils  of  the  Ghana  Medical  and  Dental  Council.  Dr.  Anyah  is  the  ﬁrst  Board Chairman of the HEALTH  FACILITIES  REGULATORY  AGENCY  inaugurated  in  May,  2015  under  Parliamentary  Act  829 (2011)  The  Health  Facilities  Regulatory  Agency Licenses and regulates all  Public  and  Private  Health  Facilities  including  Teaching,  Regional,  District  and  Private  Hospitals.  Pharmacies  and  Chemical  Shops,  Laboratories,  Radiology  Units,  Gymnasiums,  Health  SPA's,  Eye,  Orthopedic  Units  and  all  health-related  Public as well as Private facilities  in Ghana.

Dr. Osei Kwame

Executive Chairman Despite Group of Companies

r.  Osei-kwame,  also  known  as  Despite,  is  a  l e v e l - h e a d e d  businessman  with  a  very  good  background in music production  and  knows  the  broadcasting  industry  like  the  back  of  his  palm.

Osei-Kwame  is  the  owner of the Despite  Company  Ltd  which  is a trading company  and with subsidiaries  in the media industry  namely,  PEACE  FM  which  is  the  largest  and  the  most  poplular  FM  station  in the country, OKAY  FM station, NEAT FM  both  in  Accra  and  HELLO FM station in  Kumasi.

Dr.  Osei-Kwame  set-up  NEAT  FOODS  LTD,  which  processes  our  local  plantain,  cocoyam,  maize  and  palm  fruits  such  as  Neat Fufu, which is has become a  preference  to  the  traditional  fufu.  He  also  owns  a

manufacturing  company  ANTONA  FOODS  LTD,  producing the ever popular THIS  WAY  chocolate  drink  and  other  ﬂavours including the Motherlac  cereal for children.

Despite  is  a  co-founder  of  a  Salt  mining company, U2 Salt, which  is  located  at  Winneba.  Dr.  Osei-  Kwame  with  his  partner  cofounded the United

Television  (UTV)  which  is  leading TV station in the country.  He  is  the  co-founder  and  Vice  Chairman  of  Best  Point  Savings  and Loans Ltd, a very renowned  ﬁnancial  institution  in  the  country.

Dr.  Osei-Kwame,  a  business  connoisseur of no mean repute,  his  insight  into  creating  job  avenues  for  the  jobless  and

relentless  promotion  of  the  Ghanaian  Culture,  has  received  numerous  prestigious  awards  in  the  past  which  include  a  Honorary  Doctorate  Degree  in  Human  Resource  from  Canterbury  University,  Honorary  Ambassador  of  Business  Entrepreneur  in  West  Africa  (Ambassador)  and  Honorary  man  of  the  moment,  Ghana, West Africa.

He  has  also  been  awarded  with  the  Best  Entrepreneur  for  Multimedia  by  Entrepreneurs  Foundation  of  Ghana  under  the  auspices of the Ministry of Trade  and Industries in 2013.

Despite  is  a  strong  and  devoted  Christian. He is

blessed  with  a  lovely  wife  and  children.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Dr. Ernest Ofori-Sarpong

Executive Chairman Special Ice Company Limited

r.  Ernest  is  an  astute  businessman  of  many  years'  experience.  Born  some  48years  ago  and  a  proud  product  of  Presbyterian  Boys  Secondary  School  (Presec)  ,  has  an  amazing  business  career  in  the  small  and  medium  scale  industry  and  an  up  and  coming  industrialist.

In  the  1990s  he  formed  the

SARPONG  VENTURES  LTD,  an  import  and  trading  business,  worked  very hard and in no time  became  very  renown  in  the  Central  District  of  Accra.  He  set  up  the  SPECIAL  INVESTMENTS  LTD which is a real estate  and  construction  business and can boast of  a  signiﬁcant  number  of  estate  houses  and  apartments  in  very  strategic  area  of  the  city  and  numerous  oﬃce  complexes and shops.

Ernest,  in  conjunction  with  a  very close friend of his, Dr OseiKwame  (a.k.a  Despite)  formed  the  United  2  Co.  Ltd  which  is  a  holding  company  for  the  U2  SALT  LTD  –  a  600  acre  salt  mining  company  and  a  reﬁnery  at Winneba in the Central Region  and co-partnered in setting up a  television  station  by  name

UNITED  TELEVISION  (UTV  Ltd)  which  is  currently  one  of  the  leading  TV  stations  in  the  country.

Ernest  Ofori-Sarpong,  who  has  had the dream of becoming a big  time  industrialist,  solely  proceeded  to  form  a  mineral  water  company,  SPECIAL  ICE  LTD which can currently boast of  two factories in Accra and

Kumasi.  Special  Ice  has  introduced  carbonated  soft  drinks  on  the  market  which  is  fast  becoming  a  reckoned  product. In the very short life of  Special Ice Ltd, the product won  an  unprecedented  award  as  the  best  mineral  water  for  2013  and  2014,  and  is  not  resting  in  achieving greater laurels.

Once again, in collaboration with  his good partner, Ernest and his  co-partner have recently set up a  savings  and  loans  company  called  BEST  POINT  SAVINGS  AND  LOANS  CO.  LTD  for  which

he  is  the  Board  Chairman,  with  this  savings  and  loans  company  which  has  already  become  a  highly  recognized  ﬁnancial  institution.

The  Peristroﬁ  World  Honorary  International  Award  Conference  bestowed  an  Honorary  Ambassador  of  Business  Entrepreneur  in  West  Africa.  He  has  been  conferred  with  a  Doctorate  Degree  of  Philosophy  in Law from Barkley University in  the United States of America for  his  contribution  to  the  socioeconomic  development  of  Ghana.  Ernest  has  also  been  awarded the Best Manufacturing  Entrepreneur for 2013

by  Entrepreneurs  Foundation  under  the  auspices  of  the  Ministry of Trade and Industries.

Dr.  Ofori-Sarpong  is  a  God  fearing man and a good Christian  brought  up  in  the  Presbyterian  way.  He  is  blessed  with  a  pretty  wife and three lovely children.

Dr. Macdonald Vasnani

Founder & Chief Executive Ofﬁcer  Consolidated Shipping Agencies Ltd.

Conship  through  his  exceptional  ability  to  spot  existing  and  potential  business  opportunities,  plan strategically on the best  ways of taking full advantage  of  these  opportunities  and  diligently  execute  them  to  perfection.

r. Macdonald Chimandas  Vasnani  is  the  Founder  and  Chief  Executive  Oﬃcer  (CEO)  of  Consolidated  Shipping  Agencies  Limited  (Conship),  Ghana  and  the  President  of  the  company  branch  oﬃce  in  Aurora,  IL.  U.S.A.

He  is  a  seasoned  executive  with  over  twenty-ﬁve  (25)  years  of  experience  in  the  International  Freight Forwarding and Logistics  industry  with  specialization  in  Oﬀshore  and  Projects  Logistics  transportation and handling.

Founding  the  company  in  1996  from  its  humble  genesis  as  a  small  Customs  Brokerage  ﬁrm,  Dr.  M.  C.  Vasnani  has  grown

As a visionary, he developed  and  equipped  all  departments  with  an  emphasis  on  Health  Safety  and  Environment,  Human  Resource  and  Technology  to  meet international standards.

He  is  actively  involved  in  the  compliance  and  governance  program in the company.

Conship's  clientele  includes  TULLOW  OIL,  MODEC,  SCHLUMBERGER  SEACO,  TECHNIP,  S.C.JOHNSON  but  shows  its  versatility  in  other  vertical  markets  such  as  the  Telecom, Manufacturing and the  Retail.

Dr.  M.  C.  Vasnani  holds  an  Honorary  Doctorate  Degree  from  the  Commonwealth  University  in  London,  in  recognition  of  his  outstanding  contribution to the development  of  the  Oil  &  Gas  industry  in

G e n e v a 7)  2012  Logistics  &  Transport  Entrepreneur

Ghana.

He  is  also  a  product  of  the  University  Of  Chicago  Graduate  School Of Business

SIGNIFICANT  ACHIEVEMENTS  Dr.  M.  C.  Vasnani  spearheaded  the  operations  of  the  first  indigenous Oil and Gas Logistics  Base in Ghana. The base handles  Onshore  and  Offshore  Oil  well  equipment including inspections  and certifications.  His achievements include:  1)  2017  Maritime  Personality  of  the Year – Ghana Maritime and  Shipping Awards.  2)  2016  CEO  of  the  Year  (Upstream)  –  Oil  and  Gas  Ghana Awards.  3)  2016  Entrepreneur's  Hall  of  Fame  Inductee:  Logistics  Personality,  Ghana  Entrepreneur Foundation  4)  2015  Awarded  Doctorate  Degree  byCommonwealth  University/London  Graduate  School  5)  2015  CEO  of  the  Year  2015  (Upstream Oil & Gas)  6)  2013  B.I.D.  Quality  Award-

8) 2011 C.I.L.T. Ghana Personality  of  the  Year 9)  2010  World  Quality  Award  (GOLD)-France  Dr M. C. Vasnani is a member of:

1)  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Entrepreneurial  Technical  Institute (E.T.I.) of Ghana,

2) Board of Trustee of the Allotey-  Pappoe Foundation (a Non for  Proﬁt entity)

3) Board Member of Radial Circle  Ghana Limited.

4)  International  Federation  of  Freight  Forwarders  Association (F.I.A.T.A),

5)  Ghana  Institute  of  Freight  Forwarders (G.I.F.F) and the

Chartered  Institute  of  Logistics  &  Transport  (C.I.L.T.).

HOBBIES/INTERESTS

Golf, Reading, Travelling

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

Mr. Moses Kwesi Baiden     Executive Chairman Margins Group

hrough  strategic  foresight,  drive  and  determination,  Moses  Kwesi  Baiden  Jnr.  successfully  founded  the  Margins  Group  of  companies  and  in  three  decades,  turned  a  $100  investment  into  a  multimillion-dollar  corporation.

A  skillful  negotiator  with  strong  business  development  and  relationship  building  skills,  Moses  has established win-win partnerships  with  both  private  and  public  organizations  in  the  global  marketplace and has conceptualized,  built  and  managed  award  winning  products  with  the  support  of  his  exemplary team of industry experts.

In his tenure, Moses has been named  CEO  of  the  year  by  the  Ghana

Manufacturing  Awards,  Ghana  Business  Quality  Awards,  European  CEO of the

year  2018  etc.  He  also  received  the  Mobex  Innovation  Award  for  Innovation pacesetter of the year and  has  recently  been  inducted  into  the  Ghana's  CEO's  Summit  Technology  Hall of Fame.

Moses remains in constant pursuit of  rare and exciting opportunities in the  advancing  ﬁeld  of  technology  and  is  committed  to  the  Margins  Group  vision  to  be  Global  leaders  in  Identiﬁcation,  Data  Systems,  Transactions and Solutions

Moses  K.  Baiden  Jnr.  attended  the  Ghana  Law  School  where  he  graduated in the top-tenth percentile  of his year group.

Hon. Kenedy Agyapong

Executive Chairman Kencity Group of Companies

on  .  Ken  Ohene  Agyapong  is  a  politician  and  a  business  man  born  on  June  16,1960 to Mr. Francis Koﬁ

Agyapong and Mme Mary Babai He attended Adisadel College in  Cape Coast. He later travelled to  the USA and studied Economics  at  Fordham  University  in  New  York.

In  the  USA,  he  opened  a

number of businesses including  Supermarkets  ,Car  Rental  Business among others.

He  is  the  representative  of  the  people  of  Assin  Central  Constituency  as  their  Member  of Parliament

The  outspoken  politician  owns  a  number  of  companies  in  Media  and  Communication,  Real  Estate  ,Refrigeration  and  Cold Storage.

He is a Philanthropist, supports  a  lot  of  Social  and  Vulnerable  Groups  and  mentors  business  people.

So  many  Students  are  beneﬁciaries  of  his  Students  School  Fees  Scheme. It is in this light that we confer  to  him  the  Most  Inﬂuential  Entrepreneur of the Decade

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Mr. Kwaku Ennin

Chief Executive Ofﬁcer  Zeal Environmental Technologies Limited

Executive  Masters  of  Business  Administration  (EMBA)  Entrepreneurship

Professional Associations:

BRIEF PERSONAL PROFILE

With  over  35  years  in  Business  Management,  accomplished  Entrepreneur  with  Domestic  and  International  experience  in  the  operations  of  Oilfield  Waste  Management,  Maritime  Consultancy  Services  and  Corrosion  Preventive  and  Maintenance  Services  involving  both  start-up  and  growth  of  these  services.  A  Resultsoriented,  decisive  leader  with  proven  success  in  new  market  identification  and  growth  strategy,  with  a  great  passion  of  helping the less privileged in the  field  of  Education  for  career  development  and  Medical  outreach  in  deprived  communities  using  the  ENNIN  Medical Foundation. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ZEAL GROUP OF COMPANIES,  Ghana

Chairman/ CEO, 1977 – Present EDUCATION  CREDENTIALS

AND

Member of the University Of  Cape  Coast  Business  School  delegation,  2012  (representing  Industry)  to  the  University  Of  Bonn Rhine of Applied Sciences,  Germany,

Board  Chairman  University  of  Cape  Coast  Enterprises  Limited (UCCL) EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

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Strategic Planning

Service  Marketing  Management

Global Operations

Mr  Kwaku  Ennin  a  dedicated  family man is the Chief Executive  Oﬃcer  of  Zeal  Environmental  Technologies  Limited  (ZETL)  Ghana.  An  astute  and  prudent  businessman, with over 35 years  combined  rare  professional  and  entrepreneurial  skills  and  experience  in  managing  a  number  of  successful  businesses.  With  dedication,  diligence  and  a  persevering  attitude,  he  has  grown  a  small  scale  corrosion  engineering  Service Company started in 1977  to  an  enviable  ISO  14001:2015  and  ISO  45001:2018  certiﬁed  company  –  Zeal  Environmental  Technologies  Limited  (ZETL)  Ghana,  to  be  the  premier

indigenous  Oil  and  Gas  Waste  Management  Company  in  Ghana.  ZETL  provides  invaluable  services  to  Global  Multinational  Oil  companies  operating in Ghana and the West  African  Coast.  Almost  all  the  major players in the Oil and Gas  industry  engage  the  services  of  ZETL  to  manage  in  an  environmentally  sound  manner  through  its;  Port  reception  of  waste  and  oilﬁeld/Industrial  waste  management  as  well  as  vessels, rigs and onshore storage  tank cleaning services.

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Clients  of  ZETL  include,  The  Jubilee  Partners,  ENI,  AKER,  Halliburton MI Swaco, GE Baker  Hughes, Schlumberger etc. ZETL  is  a  burgeoning  enterprise  with  unfathomable  prospects  in  the  West  African  Sub  –region  under  the direction of Mr Kwaku Ennin.

PARTNERSHIP  BETWEEN  INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA

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Developed  passion  for  human  capital  investment  and  believing  in  partnership  between  Industry and the Academia,  has  over  the  years  spearheaded  Zeal`s  collaboration  with  Institutions  of  higher  education;   Financial  and  other  support  to    the  University  Of  Cape  Coast  Business  School,

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by  supporting  the  concept  of  Business  Incubation  systems  in  collaboration  with  Bonn  Rhine  University  of  Applied  Sciences  ,  Germany  to  empower  fresh  graduates  to  be  s e l f - e m p l o y e d  ( E n t r e p r e n e u r s )  instead of expecting the  Government  to  provide  them  with  non-existing  jobs.

Technical collaboration  between  Zeal  and  The  Centre  for  Coastal  Management,  Department  Of  Fisheries,  University  Of  Cape  Coast,  In  partnership  with  the  Danish  Government;  Hotspot  of  multiple  stressors  researched  based  management  of  contaminants in the Gulf Of  Guinea.

Successful  collaboration  between Zeal and School of  Engineering,  Kwame  Nkrumah  University  of  Science  and  Technology  to  conduct  research  into  the  removal  of  Fluoride  in  boreholes in the 3 Northern  Regions  of  Ghana  to  make  water  portable  (headed  by  professor  Francis  Mamoade)

Dr. Yaw Adu-Gyamﬁ

Founder & Chief Executive Ofﬁcer  Danadams Pharmaceutical Industry Gh. Ltd.

He  has  also  completed  an  Executive  MBA  degree  at  Ghana  Institute  of  Management  and  Public  Administration  (GIMPA).  He  obtained  two  Bachelor  of  Science  degrees  in  both  Chemistry  and  Mathematics  from  Clark-Atlanta  University  in  Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

r.  Gyamﬁ  holds  a  Doctorate  degree  in  Pharmacy  from  Mercer  University  in  Atlanta,  Georgia,  USA, and is a fellow of the West  African  College  of  Postgraduate  Pharmacists.

In Ghana, he attended KonongoOdumasi  and  completed  G.C.E  “O” Level in 1975 and continued  at  Opoku  Ware  Secondary  School to complete his “A” level  Certiﬁcate.  He  is  currently  the  Founder  and  President  of  the  successful  Danpong  Group  of  Companies in Ghana. Dr. Gyamﬁ  is  the  Group  Chief  Executive

Oﬃcer  for  both  Danadams  Pharmaceuticals  Industry  (Ghana)  Limited  and  Danpong  Healthcare Group.

He  is  the  current  President  of  Association  of  Ghana  Industries  (AGI),  and  former  1st  Vice  President of Ghana

Employers  Association  (GEA).  He  also  serves  as  a  Commissioner  on  Public  Utility  Regulatory  Commission  and  former  Board  Chairman  for  Ghana  Cylinder  Manufacturing  Company  on  Spintex  Road  and  Ghana Pharmacy Council.

He served as a Council member  of  the  following  Universities  in

Ghana; University of Health and  Allied  Health  Services,(UHAS)  Ho, Central University School of  Pharmacy,  Ghana  College  of  Post-Graduate  Pharmacists,  and  Mountcrest University.

Dr.  Yaw's  overseas  work  experiences  include  ownership  and  management  of  Adamsville  Delivery  Pharmacy  in  Atlanta,  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Operating  Oﬃcer  of  Southwest  Hospital  and  Medical  Centre in Atlanta. He is a married  man  and  blessed  with  six  ,  namely,  Norman,  Jacqueline,  Doris,  Derrick,  Laurethe  and  Lena Maame Sarpong Gyamﬁ.

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

Noble John Otumfuo Watson    Chief Executive Ofﬁcer  Mayfair Estates Limited

Diploma/MSc in Actuarial  Science  from  City  University  (London).  He  is  a  member  of  the  Institute of Actuaries.

nrepreneurship  in  Ghana  used to be the preserve of  older men who had often  worked  in  various  industries  before  settling  into  their  own  businesses.  It  was  rare  for  youthful Ghanaians to invest and  drive  businesses  from  startup  through  growth  to  expansion.  Today,  the  tide  has  turned  as  pioneering  entrepreneurs  like  Noble  John  Watson  Otumfuo,  The Founder and Chief Executive  Oﬃcer  (CEO)  of  Mayfair  Estates  Limited show that young people  can start, maintain, succeed and  expand  sophisticated  businesses.

Despite  the  numerous  constraints  of  doing  business  in  Ghana,  entrepreneurs  and  philanthropists  like  Noble  John  Watson Otumfuo are reaﬃrming  their  commitment  to  promoting  economic  progress  and  the  wellbeing  of  Ghana  through  business  and  social  responsibility.

About John Otumfuo  In  1997,  Noble  John  Watson  Otumfuo  joined  Friends  Provident Insurance as an actual  student  and  worked  there  for  two years. He then moved on to  Lloyds TSB as a Pensions Analyst.  After  working  there  for  another  two  years,  he  moved  to  Hyman  Robertson  Actuarial  Consultant  as  a  senior  actuarial  analyst  for  another  two  years.  He  later  joined  Sun  Life  Insurance  of  Canada  as  a  Senior  Actuarial  Analyst,  and  later  moved  to  Marlborough  Sterling  Actuarial  Consultant  in  2006.  After  which  he  returned  to  Ghana  to  Start  Mayfair Estates Ltd.

He  has  an  excellent  academic  background  and  track  of  experience  that  propels  him  to  great heights. With a Bsc (Hons),  Mathematical  Degree  from  the  Kwame  Nkrumah  University  of  Science  and  Technology,  Kumasi,  and  a  Post  Graduate

Overcoming  challenges;  making  things  work Having  been  in  business  since  2008,  His  motivation is the ultimate  fulfillment  he  gains  from  satisfied clients and being  able to serve housing and  infrastructure  needs  to  complement  national  livelihood  improvement  efforts  no  matter  what. Even  though  the  Real  Estate  business  in  Ghana  is  saddled  with challenges such as difficulty  obtaining financial support, high  import  duties,  land  acquisition  problems  coupled  with  land  tenure  issues,  unreliable  work  force,  theft,  lack  of  community  infrastructure  such  as  electricity  and  water,  he  has  remained  steadfast  in  his  commitment  to  the business.

The  Watsons  model:  unconventional,  one-stop-shop  real  estate  solutions  Cut  out  the  middleman:  Otumfuo  innovated  an  unconventional,  one-stopshop solution by providing an inhouse product for clients to own  homes  without  the  hassle  of  bank interventions. This makes it  easier  and  cheaper  to  own  a  Mayfair  home  and  remains  the  only  oﬀer  of  its  kind  on  the  market.  Employment  creation:  Noble  John  Watson  O t u m f u o ' s  contributes  to  Ghana's  economic  development  by  employing  over  300  workers  across  his  businesses;  no  mean  feat  considering  real  estate challenges.

Reducing  housing  deficit:  Having  pledged to reduce the  country's  housing  deficit,  Mayfair  Estates  Ltd  is  planning  on  building  over  5,000  plus  affordable  houses  in  Ghana  over  the  next  decade.  His  current  project  at  Mayfair  Gardens,  Airport  Hills can boast of high  standard  buildings  in  a  gated  community  with  over  200  homes.  Other  projects  being

undertaken  is  a  120  (Two  Bedroom)  apartment  blocks  for  Ghana  Military  Police  in  Burma  Camp  built  to  improve  housing  for  the  soldiers,  The  Mayfair  Court  at  Ajringanor,  Mayfair  Enclave at Oyibi all in the Greater  Accra region.

Diversified business: Beyond the  construction of homes, He owns  four  separate  factories  that  produce;  over  3,000  blocks  a  day,  PVC  windows  and  doors,  roofing  tiles,  and  paving  blocks.  This  means  he  controls  delivery  timelines and building standards  making him more efficient.

Behind Noble Watson Otumfuo's  s u c c e s s Otumfuo is God fearing, humble,  truthful  and  firm,  a  family  man  with a naturally shrewd business  acumen and an ability to sell with  a  customer-first  mindset.  He  loves  what  he  does,  whether  it's  interacting  with  customers,  or  working  closely  with  all  categories  of  his  workers.  Visitors  often  mistake  him  for  a  regular staff member when they  visit and see him about. His hard  work goes without saying.

Social  projects  that  keep  on  g i v i n g As  a  socially  responsible  businessman,  he  believes  God  blesses  him  to  enable  him  bless  others.  This  drives  his  philanthropy  and  social  investments;  projects  that  keeps  on giving. A selection includes:

1.  Twenty  (2-Bedroom  self-

contained)  accommodation  with  a  basketball  court  to  house  military  police  personnel  at  Okponglo  Behind  the  Tallow  Oil  Building

2. Mayfair Block. Six (1-Bedroom  self-contained)  accommodation  at  Headquarters  Southern  Command. Teshie

3.  Frontage  Fence  Wall  of  Headquarters  Southern  Command. Teshie

4.  The  Otumfuo  Junior  Rank  Mess  at  Base  Workshop.  Burma  Camp.

5.  J  W  Otumfuo  ICT  LAB  a  60Seater  ICT  LAB  for  Services  Primary & Junior High School in  Burma Camp.

6.  Basket  &  Volleyball  court  for  students  at  Services  Primary  &  Junior  High  School  in  Burma  Camp.

7.  Ongoing  Ten  (1-Bedroom  selfcontained)  accommodation  at  Recce Regiment Burma Camp

A word to the wise

To  young  people  looking  for  direction,  Otumfuo  believes  it's  not  a  race  for  quick  money  but  instead  a  disciplined  marathon  towards  success,  an  understanding  of  what  they  do  best and can oﬀer and ultimately,  an  agility  to  keep  up  with  the  ever-evolving  nature  of  the  world.  His  exploits  continue  to  demonstrate  the  validity  of  his  words  as  he  further  pioneers  a  new  age  of  youth  entrepreneurship in Ghana.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Mr. Edmund Poku

Managing Director   Niche Cocoa Industry Limited

r.  Edmund  Poku  is  the  founder  and  Managing  Director  of  Niche  Cocoa Industry Ltd in Ghana.

Niche  Cocoa  is  a  free  zones

company  which  produces  highquality  cocoa  liquor,  cocoa  butter,  cocoa  cake  and  cocoa  powder  for  export.  Given  his  vision  and  high  commitment  to  the  value  addition  of  cocoa,  the  company  has  won  several  a w a r d s  underhisleadershiplike“GhanaE xporterofThe  Year”  for  three  Consecutive  Years  (2013,  2014  and  2015)  and  Best  Tertiary  Cocoa  Processing  Company  of  the  year  2019-under  the  Ghana  Cocoa Awards.

Edmund  is  the  proud  winner  of

the  following  awards;  Entrepreneur of the year award –  National  Black  MBA  Association  –  USA,  Hall  of  Fame  –  Agroprocessing  Entrepreneur  –  Entrepreneurs  foundation,  Finalist  of  the  EY  West  Africa  Entrepreneur  ,  Cocoa  Entrepreneur  of  the  year  2019,  among others.

Prior  to  the  company's  start-up,  he  served  as  a  Manager  of  Strategic  Business  Development  at  Home  Depot  and  as  an  Investment  Banker  at  Goldman  Sachs.  He  holds  MBA  from

The  1980's  saw  Mr.  Chinebuah  representing  oil  majors  such  as  BP,  Geogas,  Mercuria  and  Petrobras  in  Ghana,  ultimately  building  strategic  business  relationships  on  the  West  Coast  of  Africa,  across  Europe  and  reaching  as  far  as  Greece  and  Switzerland. With  the  introduction  of  a  deliberate Government policy to  augment  the  importation  and  storage  of  LPG  in  Ghana  by  initiating  the  bulk  distribution  concept  (Bulk  Distributing

Prior  to  graduate  school,  Mr.  Poku  worked  as  a  management  consultant  at  PricewaterhouseCoopers  and  earned  an  Industrial  Engineering  degree  from  Columbia  University  and  a  B.A.  in  Liberal  Arts  from  Bowdoin  College.

He is passionate about industrial  and  economic  development  in  Africa.

Chris Chinebuah

Executive Chairman Fuel Trade Limited

hana's gems cease not to  unearth  their  resources;  these  treasures  continue  unfold  in  one  of  Ghana's  most  remarkable  entrepreneurs;  Chris  Chinebuah.  With  about  4  decades of experience in the Oil  & Gas industry, the founder and  current  Group  Executive  Chairman  of  Fueltrade  Ltd.,  began  his  journey  into  the  maritime  industry  in  the  1970's,  upon  graduating  from  the  University  of  Ghana,  Legon  into  a  shipping  agency,  where  he  learned  the  ropes  of  oil  transportation.

Columbia  Business  School  in  2002  and  a  masters  in  Engineering  Management  from  Dartmouth College in 2000.

Companies),  Chris  Chinebuah  established  Bulk  Ship & Trade Ltd. in the year  2000. His contribution to the  growth  and  success  of  Ghana's Oil & Gas industry is  phenomenal; the least among  them  being  the  contribution  of  materials  and  funds  towards  the  repair  of  the  Tema  Oil  Jetty  LPG  pipeline  (350 metres); the section that  is most exposed to seawater. Having  operated  initially  as  a  downstream  oil  trading  company;  transporting  and  distributing  oil  across  countries  on  the  West  Coast  of  Africa, Chris Chinebuah  diversified  into  Bulk  Oil  Distribution giving birth  to  Fueltrade  Ltd,  which  then  entered  the  industry  to  carve  a  niche  in  the  LPG  market. Chris  Chinebuah's  Fueltrade  Ltd.  was  the  first  privately  owned  Ghanaian  company  to  build  LPG  storage  infrastructure  (Tema  Fuel  Company)  in  partnership  with  Glencore  UK  in  2013  to  complement  that  of  the  Tema  Oil  Refinery  (TOR),  given  the  increased  demand  for  the  product  and  the  inadequate  capacity  at  TOR;  subsequently  supplying  over  90%  of  LPG  imported  into  the  country  between  2012  and  2015,  making

Fueltrade Ltd. a key player in the  LPG supply chain.

Fueltrade  continues  to  make  waves;  being  licensed  under  FT  Engineering  Services  to  undertake Bunkering operations  either  from  Tema  via  Ghana  Bunkering  Service  (GBS)  or  in  Takoradi through the Ghanstock  facility;  jointly  owned  by  Fueltrade  and  Total  Ghana  Ltd  by the use of both pipelines and  BRVs. With  skill,  expertise,  infrastructure  and  advancement  in  technology,  Fueltrade  is  privileged  to  be  the  only

Ghanaian  company  to  own  part  of an oil block. The two percent  ownership  allows  Fueltrade  to  join AKER Energy in developing  the  block  for  production  at  the  Deepwater  Tano  Cape  Three  Points (DWT/CTP). Chris Chinebuah serves on many  Boards,  oﬀering  deep  and  leading-edge  knowledge  in  leadership,  Oil  &  Gas  Trade  Management,  Risk  Analysis  and  International  Trade  &  Finance  among  others,  equipping  and  inspiring  the  young  generation  into forward-thinking and avantgarde entrepreneurship.

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

Mr. Rockson Kwesi Dogbegah   Founder & Executive Chairman   Berock Ventures Limited

He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Project  Management  Institute  (PMI), USA and Ghana; member  of  Global  Ethics  Forum  of  Switzerland; member of Ghana's  Task Force on Sustainable Public  Procurement (GTF-SPP) and also  a  member  of  the  Management  Board of CSIR-Building and Road  Research Institute, Ghana.

r.  Rockson  Kwesi  Dogbegah  is  a  C h a r t e r e d  Environmentalist  and  Chattered  Construction Manager. He is also  a  Fellow  of  the  Chartered  Institute of Building (FCIOB) UK;  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Institute  of  Chartered  Surveyors  (FRICS),  UK; Fellow of the Ghana Institute  of  Construction  (FGIOC);  a  Chartered  Member  of  the  Society for the Environment and  also  a  Fellow  of  Institute  of  Directors (FIoD) of Ghana.

He is the President of Institute of  Directors  Ghana  (IoD-Gh),  Chairman  of  the  Construction  Sector  of  the  Association  of  Ghana  Industries  (AGI);  Chairman  of  the  Construction  Industry  Development  Forum,  Ghana  (CIDF-Gh);  Past  Vice  President  of  the  Chartered  Institute  of  Building  (CIOB)  Africa;  and  the  Interim  Chairman of the African Union of  Construction Managers (AUCM).

Mr.  Dogbegah  has,  due  to  his  strong  appetite  for  excellence  and  professionalism,  over  30  excellence award to his credit.

Mr. Dogbegah was elected to the  Entrepreneurs  Hall  of  fame  (building  and  construction),  at  the  Ghana  Entrepreneurs  and  Business  Support  Awards  in  Accra, on 29th April, 2016. As an  astute  and  Excellent  Business  Leader in Ghana, Mr. Dogbegah,  was  honored  with  a  “Special  Award”  amongst  other  Business  leaders  at  the  Ghana  60th  Independence  Anniversary  Celebrations-Diamond  Jubilee  Business  Leaders  Excellence  Awards,  held  in  Accra  on  14th  July, 2017.

Indeed, Mr. Dogbegah has to his  credit international and national  awards  for  quality  and  excellence.  For  example,  He  received  an  Award  in  Quality  Management  in  Switzerland  in  March,  2014;  and  an  International  Award  in  Business  Development by CIOB in London

in  November,  2014.  In  September,  2015,  he  also  received a life time achievement  award for his contribution to the  development of the construction  industry  in  Ghana  at  the  Ghana  Construction Awards 2015.

His  company,  Berock  Ventures  Ltd.,  which  he  founded  in  1993,  has  been  commended  on  many  occasions for eﬃcient and timely  execution of its projects.

Berock  Ventures  Ltd.  has  successfully  constructed  several  building projects. Key among its  projects  are,  the  7-storey  Ghana  Civil Aviation Authority Training  Academy;  the  Rehabilitation  of  the  Bolgatanga  Regional  Hospital;  the  6-  Storey  Head  Office for the National Petroleum  Authority  and  the  8-Storey  Shops  and  Offices  Complex  for  the  Tema  Development  Corporation.  The  company  also  constructed  the  12-Storey  Accra  Shippers Authority Building, the  first  ever  ICT  Park,  the  National  Blood Bank and several projects  on public university campuses.

Without  a  doubt,  the  quality  delivery  of  these  projects  speak  for  themselves.  At  the  inauguration  of  the  7-storey  Ghana  Civil  Aviation  Authority  Training  Academy,  Berock  Ventures  Ltd  was  highly  commended  for  its  professionalism  and

commended  as  one  of  the  best  construction  companies  in  Ghana  and  urged  its  management  to  continue  to  excel.

Mr.  Dogbegah  is  an  illustrious  citizen of Ghana, his initiatives at  the forefront of the construction  industry  development  has  earned  him  the  accolade  as  the  “voice”  of  the  construction  industry  in  Ghana.  He  also  continues  to  serve  as  both  member  and  chairman  of  several boards of key public and  private  organizations  in  the  country; adding his quota to the  development  of  excellence  and  sustainable  growth  of  our  dear  country.

He  has  led  the  development  of  several  policies  for  the  Construction industry in Ghana,  key  among  them  are:  Local  Content  Policy,  Construction  Industry  Development  Policy  &  Bill,  Construction  Health  &  Safety Policy, Revision of Oﬃces,  Factories  &  Shops  Act,  Construction  Mentorship  Scheme,  Development  of  an  Improved  Price  Fluctuation  Compensation Mechanism, etc.

He is convinced that when local  competence  is  enhanced,  economic  development  will  increase  exponentially  and  that  will  be  the  engine  of  Ghana's  growth and development.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Mr. Pawan Aidasani

Chief Executive Ofﬁcer  Jay Kay Industries & Investments Ltd.

ay  Kay  Industries  &  Investments  Ltd.  Pawan  Aidasani became C. E. O of  the  group  in  the  early  2000's  and  has  been  responsible  for  exponential  growth;  the  business  has  witnessed  in  last  two decades.

He  has  kept  his  portfolio  of  everything related to Papers &  Paper  Products;  He  is  a

calculated risk taker with deep  industry  knowledge,  he  has  built  his  fortune  through  a  series  of  successes  by  embracing  the  core  values  of  integrity,  innovation  and  growth,

He  is  a  man  who  is  motivated  by  Power,  preferring  to  build  his  company's  fortunes  through  a  series  of  safe

investments  and  reaching  out  to the demands of his clientele

A man with a Vision & Mission  as well as Type “A” Personality;  He is a born leader, leading his  entire team along with him.

All  his  achievements  are  well  balanced  by  a  strong  sense  of  responsibility,  both  to  his  company  and  to  the  entire  World.

Mr. Jonathan Lamptey

Founder & Chief Executive Ofﬁcer  Comsys Ghana Ltd / Telesol Ltd

onathan  Lamptey,  is  an  entrepreneur  and  CEO.  An  electrical  engineer  by  profession  from  KNUST,  an  Alumni  of  Harvard  Business  School  and  with  several  other  professional  qualiﬁcations.  He  has been CEO of Comsys since  2004. He is also the Chairman  and founder of Telesol Limited  in Ghana.

He  has  over  ﬁfteen  years  experience  in  the  Telecoms  and  ICT  industry  heading  his  companies  to  be  market  leaders  within  that  space  in  Ghana.  He  is  a  very  focused  individual  and  passionate  on  ensuring  that  businesses  in  Ghana  and  the  sub  region  are  not  disadvantaged  in  technology  to  match  their  western  counterpart  and

For more business news and analysis           Read e-Newspaper for Free at www.business24.com.gh

competition.

In  Ghana,  Comsys  has  been  awarded  Enterprise  service  company  for  ﬁve  consecutive  years  with  the  latest  being  in  2018.  His  passion  to  see  the  telecommunications  sector  grow  is  giving  young  people  the  opportunity  to  explore  their  potentials  in  the  workplace.

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

Mr. Isaac Amoako-Mensah    President & Chairman  CAGL Group Management  -  Cambridge  International  College.

He is responsible for the  overall  working  of  the  Company  and  is  instrumental  in  making  strategic  decisions  and  management  for  the  Company.  He  has  nearly  a decade of experience in  the security sector.

r.  Isaac  AmoakoMensah, the Executive  Director  of  the  Company,  graduated  with  a  Master's  Degree  in  Business  Administration  with  specialization  Human  Resource

He  served  his  beloved  country for 8 years as an  executive Naval Oﬃcer and was  one  of  the  youngest  Oﬃcers  to  Command  GNS  David  Hansen.  He led the Ghana Navy's team to  Safe  Boats  International  in  the  United  State  for  the

construction,  acceptance  and  training  on  Ghana's  newly  acquired  Defender  Class  Boats  (2008). He voluntarily retired at  age 28 with the rank of a Naval  Lieutenant.

He held the position of location  Manager  for  the  multibilliondollar  company  Schlumberger  in  Tanzania.  And  rose  to  the  rank Regional cost

transformation  manager  over  East  and  Southern  AfricaSchlumberger.  He  is  currently  the Executive chairman of CAGL  Group  of  companies.  He  has  been with the Company since its  inception.  He  is  the  man  one  can  conveniently  describe  as  mad  with  the  passion  to

succeed.  Three  years  down  the  line  of  business,  the  start-ups  have not only kept up, but also  outpaced  competitors,  becoming one of the best in the  industries they operate.

Mr.  Amoako-Mensah  has  received  various  awards  for  his  entrepreneurship  including  Best  Entrepreneur  in  shipping  and Logistics 2017- 40 under 40  Awards,  Promising  Entrepreneur of the year 2018 Ghana  shippers  Awards,  Best  Young Entrepreneur of the year  2018  -Ghana  Business  Awards  among others. Besidesthis,

Mr. Amoako-Mensah is a proliﬁc  golfer and an active member of  the celebrity Golf club, Tema.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 05, 2020

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Corporate Executive Awardees Mrs. Patience Akyianu

Group Chief Executive Ofﬁcer   Hollard Ghana Holdings Ltd. . terms  of  Gross  Written  Premium.  The  company  also  achieved  a  25%  growth  in  revenue,  a  feat  that  was  last  achieved some 5 years ago. She  turned  the  around  company's  loss-making  position  in  2018  to  an impressive proﬁt after tax in  2019  during  her  full  year  of  leadership.

rs. Patience E. Akyianu  is  currently  the  Chief  Executive Oﬃcer of the  Hollard Group in Ghana and is a  director  of  both  the  Boards  of  Hollard  Insurance  Ghana  (General Insurance) and Hollard  Life Assurance Ghana.

Patience  is  a  very  experienced  and  well-rounded  business  leader  with  strong  commercial  acumen  and  has  over  27  years'  experience  in  Banking,  Finance  and Insurance, having spent the  recent  17  years  in  the  banking  industry  before  joining  the  Insurance  Industry  in  October  2018.

After  a  year  of  assuming  the  Group  CEO  role  of  Hollard  Group,  its  general  insurance  business,  Hollard  Insurance  Ghana moved from 5th to 3rd in

She  previously  served  as  Managing  Director  of  Barclays  Bank  Ghana  for  5  years  where  she built a high performing and  more  diverse  leadership  team.  Prior  to  that,  she  was  the  Finance  Director  of  Barclays  Bank  Ghana.  Under  her  leadership,  the  performance  of  the  bank  consistently  exceeded  expectations,  culminating  in  its  position  as  the  most  proﬁtable  bank  in  Ghana  and  won  the  following awards;

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Best  Bank  in  Ghana-  Euromoney  Awards  for  Excellence 2014  Winner,  2013  Best  Investment Bank In Ghana-  EMEA Finance 2014 Awards  Best  Domestic  Cash  Management  House-  Euromoney Awards 2014  Africa  Best  Employer  Brand-  Africa  Best  Employer  Brand  Awards  2014

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Top  50  Best  Global  Employer  Brands  Institute  (EBI), April 2015  Best  Corporate  Bank  in  Ghana,  The  Banker  Africa,  West Africa Awards 2015  Best Trade Deal of the Year,  Ghana  Association  of  Bankers Awards (2015)  Best  Bank  –  Cash  Management  Services  2016  (Euromoney)  Iconic  Brand  of  the  year  –  Annual  Marketing  World  Awards 2017  Financial  Institution  of  the  year  –  UK  Ghana  Chamber  of Commerce Awards 2017  The  Asian  Banker  –  Best  Transactional  Bank  of  the  Year 2017  1st  Ghana  HR  Star  Awards  2017  -  Overall  Best  Organisation  in  Performance Management  1st  Ghana  HR  Star  Awards  2017  -  Overall  Best  Organisation in Rewards  HR  Focus  Awards  2017  -  Best  Organisation  in  Rewards  Management  &  Practice  Ghana  Banking  Awards  2017  -  1st  Runner-Up  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  Ghana  Banking  Awards

2017 - 1st Runner-Up - Trade  Deal of the Year   Ghana  Banking  Awards  2017  -  2nd  Runner-Up  -  Financial Performance   Mrs Akyianu sits on the board of  Ecobank  Ghana  Limited  and  on  the  Advisory  Committee  of  the  Ghana  Infrastructure  and  Investment  Fund. She  is  a  founding  member  of  both  the  Executive  Women  Network  and  the  International  Women's Forum, Ghana.

Patience  is  very  passionate  about  Youth  Leadership  and  takes  time  out  of  her  busy  schedules  mentoring  and  coaching  young  people  within  the  Executive  Women  Network  as well as tertiary students.

She  is  an  honorary  member  of  the Ghana Institute of Directors. Patience  Akyianu  has  had  an  illustrious  career  to  date,  no  better demonstrated than by the  stream  of  awards  she  has  won  over  the  years.  She  was  named  among  the  100  Most  Reputable  Africans 2018, by the Reputation  Poll,  together  with  renowned  leaders  like  Rwanda's  Paul  Kagame,  South  Africa's  Cyril  Ramaphosa,  Ghana's  Pastor  Mensah-Otabil  and  Strive  Masiyiwa.

Mrs. Abena Osei-Poku Managing Director Absa Bank Ghana

Managing  Principal  and  Regional  Head  responsible  for  Barclays  Africa  Group's  (now  Absa  Group  Limited)  Corporate  and  Investment Banking  businesses in East &  West Africa.

rs  Abena  Osei-Poku  is  an  economist  by  training  and  an  astute  leader with a proven track record  in banking. She was appointed as  the Managing Director of Barclays  Bank Ghana limited in September  2018.  Prior  to  this,  she  was  the

She  previously  served  as  the  Corporate  Banking  Director  at  Barclays  Bank  Ghana.Before  joining  Barclays,  Mrs  Osei-Poku  worked  at  Standard  Chartered  Bank  where  she  held  various  senior  roles  including  Regional  responsibility  in risk Management for West and  Central  Africa  and  Director  of  Global Corporates in Ghana.

Mrs  Osei-Poku's  expertise  includes  strategy,  corporate  governance,  people  management,  change  management,  risk  management  and client coverage. With over 24  years  in-depth  Pan-African  experience  gained  across  West,  Central,  East  and  South  Africa,  she  is  credited  with  the  turnaround  of  the  Corporate  Banking  Businesses  in  Barclays  Ghana and Uganda. She has won  various  awards  such  as  best  Corporate  Bank  in  Ghana,  Uganda  and  Kenya,  Best  Global  Development  Bank  in  Uganda  and  Euromoney  Best  Cash  Management in Ghana & Uganda.

Mrs  Osei-Poku  has  broad  board  experience  having  previously  sat  on  the  boards  of  Airtel  Mobile  Money,  the  United  Kingdom  and  Ghana  Chamber  of  Commerce

and  is  currently  the  Chairperson  of  the  Advisory  Board  of  the  College  of  Health  Sciences,  University  of  Ghana.  In  addition,  she sits on the governing councils  of  the  National  Banking  College,  the  Ghana  Bankers  Association  and several executive forums.

She  is  passionate  about  talent  development,  building  high  performing  teams  as  well  as  diversity  and  inclusion.  She  was  the ﬁrst Chairlady for the Barclays  Women Network forum (WNF) in  Ghana.  Her  strong  focus  on  service  to  her  colleagues,  clients  and  stakeholders  has  helped  to  bring possibilities to life.

Mrs  Osei-Poku  holds  a  bachelor's  degree  from  the  University  of  Ghana,  Legon  and  an  Mba  from  the  Manchester  Business  School  (United Kingdom).

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Dr. Joshy Varkey

Managing Director Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying Co. Ltd 2.

oshy  Varkey  is  the  Managing  Director  of  Nyonkopa  Ltd,  a  subsidiary  of  Barry  Callebaut  Group;  the  world's  largest  chocolate  manufacturer;  since  May 2016. He started his career in  Ghana  as  Head  of  sales  and  Marketing  with  Aquafresh  (Kalyppo); and later served as MD  with  noted  multinational  companies  in  the  Agribusiness  sector since 2011.  He  worked  in  the  plantation  sector  (HML),  Agrochemicals  &  Seed  (Monsanto)  and  Retail  industries  (Reliance  Retail)  in  India  before  moving  to  Ghana.  Joshy  implemented  various  innovations  in  the  systems  and

procedures in running Nyonkopa;  which  led  the  company  to  4th  Position  among  cocoa  sector  in  Ghana;  in  volumes,  with  12  %  market share - in a span of 3 years.  He  solved  the  ailing  problem  of  Insurance and pensions for Cocoa  farmers  by  introducing  –  Nyonkodo  Farmer  life  Plan  -  a  tripartite  package  that  provides  solution  to  Insurance,  child  education support and Pensions.  Various  recognitions  Nyonkopa  Bagged under his leadership are:  1. Best  Agri-business  Company in Cocoa sector by  GNCCI  2016,  And  Best  AgriBusiness Company 2017 and  2018, by GNCCI.

The  Best  Corporate  social  responsibility  company  in  2017  and  Best  company  Employer  in  2019;  by  Association  of  Ghanaian  Industries.  3. Best Agro Trading Company  of the year, 2016 and 2017 by  SMEGA  CSR  Agribusiness  of  the  year  2018  by  Centre  for  CSR, West Africa.  4. Agribusiness  Company  of  the  year,  2018  and  2019  By  Ghana Business Awards. 5. Agribusiness  Company  of  the  year  2019  and  community  Impact  Award,  2019 from NiBS.  6. Sustainability  and  Social  Investment awards for 2019.  7. Business  Quality  in  Agribusiness  Industry  by  in  2016  and  2018;  Best  social  corporate  responsible  company of the year 2017 by  Entrepreneurs  Foundation  of Ghana.  8. Chief Executive of the year,  2016,  2017  and  2017  Agribusiness  (Cocoa  Industry)  by  Ministry  of  Trade & Industry and EFG.  He  holds  a  degree  in  Agriculture  and  a  Masters  in  Business  Administration.  In  Dec  2017,  He  was  awarded  with  an  honorary  doctorate  from  Commonwealth

University,  UK.  He  is  married  to  Sumi  and  is  blessed  with  three  sons.  He  is  also  a  noted  sports  personality  and  was  a  University  Marathon  champion  for  three  years  during  his  course  of  study  and a car rally enthusiast and has  won  two  car  rallies  in  India  in  2006 and 2007.  At Nyonkopa they see their MD as  an Innovator and game changer in  the  industry;  a  visionary  and  pragmatic  leader.  He  is  a  mentor  and team player and believes and  demonstrates in the ability of his  team .More importantly,  His name is now 'synonymous' to  innovation  in  agribusiness,  as  in  his  tenure  the  company  have  witnessed  mindboggling  innovations.  Nyonkopa expanded the business  across  the  cocoa  regions  to  101  Districts  and  is  the  4th  largest  payer in the Industry; and thereby  the  ﬁnancials  improved  greatly  and are one among the largest tax  payers  to  the  state  exchequer.  This  also  led  to  numerous  avenues of job creation especially  among rural youth.  Nyonkopa's  needy  Program,  is  another  social  intervention  from  him  where  we  all  contribute  a  minimum  of  a  day  salary  to  the  welfare  of  communities  we  operate.

atulati s

Hon. Maxwell Koﬁ Jumah Chief Executive Officer,

Ghana Industrial Holdings Corporation (GIHOC)

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Dr. Kwame Addo Kufour

Board Chairman Social Security & National Insurance Trust

r. Kwame Addo-Kufuor is  a  Medical  Practitioner  and  a  Public  servant  par  excellence.  He  steers  the  affairs  of  the  Trust  with  a  rich  experience  from  his  service  to  Ghana  and  his  empathy  to  the  stakeholders  of  the  Trust,  especially pensioners. This stems  from his many years of attending  to his patients and showing them  compassion. These qualities have  influenced  his  decisions  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  SSNIT.  During  his  tenure  as  Board  Chairman,  he  has led the team to put measures  in  place  to  sustain  the  Scheme  and  has  also  championed  the  welfare of pensioners. Below  are  some  of  the  achievements of SSNIT under his  leadership. VALUE FOR MONEY (SAVINGS) To stop the payments of pensions  to  non-  existent  pensioners,  6,270 'ghost' names were deleted  from the Trust's pension payroll.  This exercise has since saved the  Trust  over  GH¢  66.15m  as  at  December, 2019. Procurement Under  his  leadership,  the  Trust  has instituted stringent standards  and  controls  in  procurement  processes  which  has  cut  down  sole sourcing to ensure value for  money.  He  also  advocates  for  strict  adherence  to  procurement  laws. Savings on ICT A  comprehensive  audit  of  the  Trust's  ICT  systems  was  conducted.  The  Trust  identified  and  recovered  certain  costs  and  also  cut  down  on  recurrent  support  and  maintenance  expenditure.  A  re-negotiation  of  agreements  on  some  ICT  infrastructure,  support  and  license  fees  within  the  period  resulted  in  savings  of  $8.52m  to  the Trust. About half of this was  recurrent expenditure. A  signed  Service  Level  Agreement  (SLA)  for  three  (3)  years  is  saving  the  Trust  $2m  compared  to  the  previous  maintenance contract. Also, an amount of $15,281,167.87  and  GH¢16,019,579.46  is  to  be

claimed  as  refunds  from  one  of  the IT solution vendors. The  Internal  Audit  Department  has  further  unveiled  another  $6,944,467.18 to be claimed from  a software provider. EXPANSION OF COVERAGE A mass social security expansion  campaign  was  done  which  resulted  in  a  17.4%  increase  in  total  contributors  and  209,551  newly  enrolled  members.  The  Trust  is  also  promoting  the  expansion of coverage, especially  for  self-employed  persons  in  an  effort  to  extend  social  security  cover for workers in the informal  sector. CORPORATE  SOCIAL  RESPONSIBILTY (CSR) His  insistence  on  stakeholders  being the main beneficiary of the  Trust's CSR efforts has led to the  development of a new CSR Policy  to  benefit  stakeholders  of  the  Trust,  especially  pensioners.  He  therefore  led  Management  to  take the first step in fulfilment of  this new approach, by presenting  an  amount  of  three  hundred  thousand  Ghana  cedis  (GH¢300,000.00)  and  later  five  hundred  thousand  Ghana  cedis  (GH¢500,000.00)  to  the  Pensioners  Medical  Scheme  to  strengthen and sustain it to cover  basic  medical  bills  for  its  members. PENSIONERS PRIORITY DESK Pensioners' priority desk has also  been  introduced  in  all  SSNIT  branches so that pensioners who  walk  into  SSNIT  offices  do  not  queue before being attended to. INVESTMENTS A  new  investment  policy  that  better  controls  the  investment  process has also been developed Professionals  and  experts  have  been  appointed  to  Boards  of  subsidiary  companies  which  has  led to major improvement in the  corporate  governance  of  these  entities. The bringing on board of  expertise  to  these  investee  companies, led to the declaration  of the first dividend by The Trust  Hospital  Company  Limited  (a  facility  fully  owned  by  SSNIT)  since  its  incorporation  in  2010.  The  amount  paid  was  GH¢597,979.  Another  investee  company,  Labadi  Beach  Hotel,  declared a dividend of GH¢1m for  2017.  This  amount  was  a  huge  improvement,  considering  that  the  company  booked  a  loss  in  2016.  In  2018,  an  amount  of  GH¢1,059,384.04  was  also  received  from  Sentuo  Steel  as

dividend.  This  was  a  great  development  considering  that  the  company  recorded  a  loss  in  2016. STRATEGIC  STAKEHOLDER  ENGAGEMENTS  AND  ACCOUNTABILITY To  address  stakeholder  dissatisfaction,  deliberate  efforts  were  made  to  be  more  inclusive  of  stakeholders.  Strategies  were  put in place and a clear plan was  drawn  to  map  stakeholders  and  have  tailored  engagements  with  each segment to ensure that they  understood  the  business  and  operations of the Trust and value  the  scheme  provides.  This  has  led  to  meaningful  engagements  with  key  stakeholders  such  as  meetings with Organized Labour,  face  time  with  influential  media  persons,  employer  breakfast  meetings and other initiatives. IMPROVED IMAGE These  initiatives  and  interventions  have  significantly  impacted  and  improved  the  image of the Trust leading to the  Trust being acknowledged as the  Public  Sector  Company  of  the  Year,  2019  (Ghana  Business  Awards). CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  REPUBLIC OF GHANA In 2001, when the New Patriotic  Party  (NPP)  won  the  general  elections and claimed majority in  Parliament,  Dr  Addo-Kufuor  joined Parliament as the Member  of  Parliament  for  the  Manhyia  Constituency, a seat he held from  1997 to 2008. He  was  also  appointed  as  Minister  for  Defence,  but  before  his appointment, he was ranking  member for health in Parliament

and played a leading role during  the  pilot  stage  of  the  establishment  of  the  National  Health Insurance Scheme. The  new  Ministry  of  Defence  Complex,  the  Kofi  Annan  International  Peacekeeping  Centre,  Burma  Hall,  Burma  Camp  Computer  Centre  were  among  some  of  the  major  initiatives  undertaken  during  his  tenure as Minister for Defence. He  was  instrumental  in  the  construction  of  the  new  37  Military  Hospital  in  Accra  and  with the support of Ghanaian and  Indian  colleagues,  the  elevation  of the hospital to a post - graduate  medical  college  currently  training medical specialists. The  Beijing  Barracks  and  the  “Open Day” of the Ghana Armed  Forces  were  among  the  projects  undertaken during this time. As  M.P.  for  Manhyia,  he  was  responsible  for  many  educational,  health,  and  infrastructural  development  initiatives.  The  Abbey's  Park  Community Centre was the most  significant of these projects. He was a member of the ECOWAS  negotiation  team  that  arranged  the  first  Meeting  between  the  Ivorian  government  and  the  rebel  movement,  Forces  Nouvelles. He  also  led  the  Ministry  of  Defence  delegations  to  China,  UK,  US,  Russia,  Burundi,  Rwanda,  Senegal,  Tanzania,  Sierra  Leone,  India,  Lebanon,  Togo,  and  South  Africa.  These  contacts  helped  to  enhance  the  human  and  equipment  capabilities  of  the  Ghana  Armed  Forces to operate.

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