Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, has called for bold leadership and stronger collective action among member states of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), as the bank holds its 24th Annual General Meeting.
Addressing delegates at the opening session, the Finance Minister stressed the growing expectations of citizens across the West African sub-region, noting that development finance institutions must deliver tangible outcomes that directly improve livelihoods and drive economic transformation.
He urged participants to approach the deliberations with urgency and purpose, emphasizing the importance of decisive action and unity in achieving EBID’s strategic objectives.
“The expectations of our citizens are high. They look to us for results,” he said, calling for a shift from ambition to measurable impact.
According to him, the relevance and effectiveness of EBID will ultimately be determined not only by the quality of discussions held at the meeting, but more importantly by the implementation of agreed decisions and commitments in the aftermath.
He described the gathering as a critical moment for the institution, encouraging stakeholders to adopt bold thinking and strengthen their shared resolve to deliver sustainable development outcomes across the ECOWAS region.
The Minister also expressed appreciation to member states, development partners, and stakeholders for their continued support, acknowledging their role in sustaining the bank’s mandate and operations.
As host country, Ghana welcomed delegates and encouraged participants to take time to experience the nation’s rich culture and heritage during their stay.
The 24th EBID Annual General Meeting has brought together policymakers, financial experts, and development partners to review the bank’s performance and explore strategies to deepen regional investment and economic integration across West Africa.
