"Akufo-Addo supports AfDB\u2019s quest for more resources to accelerate Africa\u2019s transformation agenda"

" \n Akufo-Addo supports AfDB\u2019s quest for more resources to accelerate Africa\u2019s transformation agenda \n \n\n \n President Akufo-Addo\u00a0has backed calls for more resources for the African Development Bank Group to accelerate its transformative role across the continent. \n \n\n \n President Akufo-Addo received the African Development Bank Group president,\u00a0Dr Akinwumi Adesina, at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday. \n \n\n \n He expressed strong support for a significant replenishment of the African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group\u2019s concessional financing arm. \n \n\n \n Akufo-Addo noted that the work of the Fund has become even more critical in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic,\u00a0climate change,\u00a0and most recently, the Russia-Ukraine war. \n \n\n \n The president said: \u201cWe must all focus on how best we can expand the capital base of the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund to give them a greater significance in terms of being able to raise money on the global bond market\u2026 This way, we can play the lead role in financing our development.\u201d \n \n\n \n He commended Adesina for what he said was his dynamism as the head of the\u00a0African Development Bank, and his advocacy on the global stage for Africa\u2019s development. \n \n\n \n Adesina is visiting Ghana ahead of the African Development Bank Group\u2019s 2022 Annual Meetings in Accra from 23-27 May. \n \n\n \n Accompanying him to the Ghanaian capital on this preparatory mission are the Bank Group\u2019s secretary general, Vincent Nmehielle; acting chief economist and vice president for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management Kevin Urama; director general in the Office of the President Alex Mubiru; executive director representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan, Kenyeh Barlay; and the Bank Group\u2019s Ghana country manager Eyerusalem Fasika. \n \n\n \n Read: Aliko Dangote \u2018allegedly\u2019 broke and unable to complete refinery with his own money \n \n\n \n The 2022 Annual Meetings also mark the 50th anniversary of the African Development Fund. Since its establishment, the Fund has invested more than US$45 billion in low-income countries and fragile states. \n \n\n \n Akufo-Addo said Ghana was excited to host the Bank Group\u2019s forthcoming Annual Meetings, which several African leaders will attend. \n \n\n \n According to Adesina the AfDB would make a case for a strong African Development Fund-16 replenishment during the Annual Meetings. \n \n\n \n He stressed the importance of allowing the Fund to use its equity to tap the global capital market to leverage a lot more resources for low-income African countries. \n \n\n \n Adesina said: \u201cMr. President, your personal advocacy for this, along with other heads of state and government, will be critical.\u201d \n \n\n \n The Bank Group\u2019s active portfolio in Ghana is made up of 18 operations worth a total commitment of US$751.5 million across various sectors. Transport accounts for the largest share of 42% while agriculture amounts to 23%. \n \n\n \n Key among Bank-financed projects is the four-tier Pokuase road interchange, which is part of the multi-component Accra Urban Transport Project. Completed in July 2021, the interchange is the first of its kind in West Africa and the second largest in Africa. The local transport union and commuters say that since its completion, the interchange has eased travel time from two hours to 30 minutes. \n \n\n \n Selina Avevor, leader of the Kpobiman Women Association\u2014which trains women in livelihood skills such as catering, batik tie-dye, and other crafts\u2014said: \u201cThanks to the African Development Bank, the government of Ghana has provided us a 20-bed hostel with air-conditioning to house trainees. They also provided us with a new 150-liter soap-making machine, flour mixing machines with electric motors, and four rollers with electric motors. In addition, they constructed a borehole and gave us a water storage tank and office furniture.\u201d \n \n\n \n Adesina commended the Ghanaian authorities for ensuring value for money in the execution of the project, particularly by utilising funds initially meant for a three-tier structure to build a four-tier facility. \u201cSimilarly gratifying for me is the facility\u2019s impact on people\u2019s lives,\u201d he said. \n \n\n \n The African Development Bank president and his team also held discussions with Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, the current chair of the Bank Group\u2019s Board of Governors. \n \n\n \n The Bank delegation was fully briefed on Ghana\u2019s preparedness for the Annual Meetings. The delegation also visited the Accra International Conference Centre, the main venue for the meetings. \n "

"Akufo-Addo supports AfDB\u2019s quest for more resources to accelerate Africa\u2019s transformation agenda"

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