Global African Times by Maame Yaa Adu-Nketia
The 8th Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference, held yesterday at the Accra International Conference Centre, left a significant mark on its attendees, setting a notable precedent in the annals of economic discourse. The event, themed “A Call for a New Global Financing Pact: Collaborative Pathways to Economic Resilience and Global Prosperity,” brought together a distinguished array of dignitaries and passionate participants.
The conference featured keynote speeches from influential figures and was complemented by a well-curated program that included breakfast, lunch, and thoughtfully prepared token bags. Each participant received a notepad and a copy of “Actualizing the African Economic Vision,” a practical handbook on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a foreword by Afrexim Bank’s President and Board Chairman, Prof. Benedict Oramah.
The conference was not only intellectually stimulating but also culturally enriching. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant cultural display by the Adesa Toil Story Tellers troupe, which highlighted the integrity and richness of African culture.
A standout feature of the conference was the interactive Question and Answer Panel Discussion, moderated by Mr. Sam Omukoko, General Managing Director and Founder of Metropol Corporation Ltd. The panel, which included Mrs. Ngonè Diop, Director of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and Chairperson of the occasion; Mr. Hughes Oscar Lokossou, General Director of the Debt Management Office of the Republic of Benin; Mr. Selasi Kofii Ackom, CEO of GITFIC; and Dr. Alcindo Mota, Secretary of State for Finance in Cape Verde, delved into two critical topics. They first addressed “The Impact of International Credit Rating Institutions on Africa’s Fiscal and Monetary Policy: A Critical Analysis,” followed by a discussion on the conference theme, “A Call for a New Global Financing Pact: Collaborative Pathways to Economic Resilience and Global Prosperity.”
Organized by the Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFIC) in collaboration with key partners, including the African Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Ghana Free Zones Authority, African Development Bank Group, mAfriSend Pan-African, and Accra, the event underscored a collective commitment to advancing economic resilience and prosperity on a global scale.