Ghana’s Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is expected to deliver the keynote address at the fifth edition of Ghana Economic Outlook and Business Strategy Conference (EOBS) on 22nd March, 2017 at Tang Palace Hotel, Roman Ridge in Accra.
He will lead business executives, policy makers, among others to discuss issues on the evolution of mobile money and payment system in the country.
Kwadwo Asumaning, Chairman of the African Business Media Limited (ABM), publishers of the multiple-award winning Ghana Business & Finance magazine(GB&F) has disclosed at a media launch of this year’s EOBS in Accra.
The EOBS which is organised by the ABM, publishers of the magazine with partners and reputable corporate sponsors, is a must-attend event for both local and international businesses, according to him.
He explained: “The EOBS 2017, whose theme is ‘Unlocking Ghana’s Economic Potential with Mobile Money and Payment System’, aims to explore and exploit ideas and suggestions from both the Government and private sector stakeholders to address Ghana’s mobile money, financial inclusion and electronic payment system in efforts to promote and sustain the growth of the Ghanaian financial system”.
Specifically, EOBS 2017 seeks to: Create a conducive platform where key government officials, bankers, telcos and policy makers will address Ghana’s mobile money, financial inclusion and economic growth topics; Discuss in a frank manner the role of stakeholders in solving the challenges faced between the regulator and aggregators; Identify and agree on ways and means of deepening Ghana’s financial inclusion agenda; Create a forum where the experiences of Kenya and Nigeria will be shared; and, Produce a communiqué on how the issues raised by financial inclusion and other agreed points can be followed up and implemented.
“The conference will be a full day event. Leading government officials, banking executives, heads of mobile telecommunication companies, policy- and decision- makers, industrial experts, civil society organisations, foreign businesses and investors, and the diplomatic community, among others, will attend the conference to address issues emanating from the main theme”, Mr Asumaning stated.
He told the journalists that the event involves keynote addresses, individual presentations, and panel discussion and networking opportunities.
Mr Asumaning said that eminent personalities who were expected to speak at this year’s conference include the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Ministers of State, Director-Generals and heads of state institutions, CEOs’ and captains of industry, heads of bilateral and multilateral support agencies, foreign and local investors, leaders of civil society organizations, heads of the diplomatic corps and foreign missions, media managers and other major stakeholders in the economy.
He mentioned the partners this year include the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GhIPSS), Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ghana Association of Bankers, Association of Ghanaian Industries, PEF, Margins Group, Tigo Ghana, among others.
While the target audience of the EOBS 2017, Mr Asumaning mentioned include Government, Bank of Ghana, universal banks, mobile telecommunication companies, Local Information Communication Technology (ICT) companies, the general business community, development partners, commercial departments of Embassies and High Commissions, non-bank financial institutions, and CSOs.
The EOBS started in 2012 is normally declared open by the President of Ghana. The conference is a highly anticipated gathering for many business leaders, and usually attracts delegates from all over the world. The last EOBS was attended by delegates from 17 countries across the world.
“This year’s event, that is EOBS 2017, promises to be even bigger and better”, he stated.
“I am sure that with the consistency and strong commitment we have shown on this conference series, coupled with the usual cooperation of you, our friends and colleagues from the media, we are certain to make EOBS 2017 even more of a success that previous ones”, Mr Asumaning added.
In short messages, the Chief Executive Officer of Private Enterprise Federation (PEF), Nana Osei Bonsu pledged the federation’s support for the upcoming event.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo said: “This year’s theme is particular important to us at the chamber whose members are telcos and tower companies”.
The Chief Business Officer of Tigo Ghana, Stephen Essien added: “Tigo is excited to be among sponsors of the prestigious Ghana Economic Outlook and Business Strategy Conference (EOBS).
The theme for this year’s conference-‘ Unlocking Ghana’s Economic Potential with Mobile Money and Payment System’ sits at the centre of who we are as a business in that providing digital and financial inclusion for our business over the past few years”.
African Eye Report
