Latest news with #DrCassielAtoForson
Zawya
03-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ghana, Japan Sign ¥402 Million Grant Agreement to Boost Human Capital Development
The Government of Ghana and the Government of Japan have signed a grant agreement valued at ¥402 million under the Japanese Grant Aid for the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme. The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Finance in Accra, marks the launch of the third batch of the fourth phase of the programme. Speaking at the event, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson expressed Ghana's appreciation to the Government and People of Japan for their consistent support. He noted that the programme aligns with Ghana's ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and build a resilient, knowledge-driven public sector. Dr. Forson also provided updates on Ghana's economic outlook. He stated that Ghana's sovereign credit ratings are expected to improve soon, reflecting the country's progress toward economic recovery. Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Miyazaki Katsura who led the Japanese delegation, acknowledged Ghana's request and reaffirmed Japan's commitment to long-term development cooperation. She emphasised the strategic importance of the JDS Programme in preparing Ghanaian professionals for leadership and institutional reform. The ceremony concluded with the signing of the grant agreement, reinforcing the strong bilateral partnership between Ghana and Japan and paving the way for expanded cooperation in both human capital and infrastructure development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance - Republic of Ghana. Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release. The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
11-Member Ghana Cocoa Board Inaugurated with a Pledge to Revive the Sector
An eleven-member Board of Directors for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has been officially inaugurated at a brief but significant ceremony at the Ministry of Finance, with a strong call to urgently reverse the fortunes of the ailing cocoa sector. The new board is chaired by Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and includes key figures such as the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson; Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama; Chief Executive Randy Abbey; Alhaji Alhassan Kobina Ghansah; Vincent Oppong Asamoah; Deputy Minister for Trade, Samson Ahi; Deputy Minister for Agriculture, John Dumelo; Alhaji Alhassan Bukari; Nana Charles Owusu and Eric Turkson. The inauguration was chaired by Energy Minister John Jinapor, who also serves as the Alternate Minister for Finance. In his remarks, Hon. Jinapor congratulated the new board members but expressed grave concern over the current state of COCOBOD. He noted that while the institution was once a shining symbol of Ghana's economic strength, recent years have seen a worrying noted that crop production, which previously peaked at 1 million metric tonnes, has slumped to about 500,000 metric tonnes. However, Mr. Jinapor expressed confidence in the calibre of the newly constituted board, stating that he was convinced they possessed the expertise and integrity to restore COCOBOD's lost glory. On his part, the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board once again, having previously been a member in his capacity as Deputy Finance Minister. He explained that the new law governing COCOBOD mandates the inclusion of both the Finance Minister and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana on its board. Dr. Forson underscored the enduring importance of cocoa to Ghana's economy, describing it as the 'jewel of the economy,' and lamented the massive mismanagement of COCOBOD in recent years. He outlined plans by government to introduce plantation farms by acquiring about 200 hectares of cocoa land, aiming to restore production levels to 1 million metric tonnes. The Finance Minister further tasked the board to decisively address the issue of diseased cocoa farms, especially in the Western Region, which continues to hamper productivity. He assured COCOBOD of the full support of the Finance Ministry in all its endeavours. Newly sworn-in Board Chairman, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, expressed his appreciation to the President for the confidence reposed in the board. He described their appointment as both an honour and a call to duty, pledging on behalf of the members to lead a transformational agenda for the cocoa sector. Dr. Ofosu Ampofo promised to 'reset, retool, and reimagine' COCOBOD to restore it as a pivotal institution in Ghana's economy. He urged members of the political class to lead by example by actively engaging in farming to inspire the youth. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance - Republic of Ghana.
Zawya
12-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ghana's food and beverage prices see significant drop
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement with the Minister for Finance, the Executive Secretary of FABAG, John Awuni, confirmed that prices of essential products such as sugar and rice have started to drop. 'We have reduced sugar prices by about 7% as of today, and rice prices have corrected by about 10%. As importers, we are aggressively pushing prices down, but unfortunately, others in the value chain are not responding,' Awuni stated. He emphasised the need for collective action to ensure these reductions translate into meaningful relief for the public. 'We believe this must be a national effort. We are calling for a national campaign for price reductions. If others also respond, it will reflect in the lives of ordinary Ghanaians,' he urged. The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, commended FABAG for its leadership and appealed to other trade associations, including the Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA), to follow FABAG's example by adjusting their prices downward. 'We are seeing improvements in the cedi and inflation is slowing. It's time for businesses to reflect this in their pricing. I appeal to GUTA and others to support this effort so Ghanaians can truly feel the recovery,' the Minister remarked. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG) Assures of Falling Food and Beverage Prices, Calls for National Price Reduction Campaign
The Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG) has announced that prices of key commodities within the sector are beginning to fall, with further reductions expected in the coming weeks. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement with the Minister for Finance, the Executive Secretary of FABAG, John Awuni, confirmed that prices of essential products such as sugar and rice have started to drop. 'We have reduced sugar prices by about 7% as of today, and rice prices have corrected by about 10%. As importers, we are aggressively pushing prices down, but unfortunately, others in the value chain are not responding,' Mr. Awuni stated. He emphasized the need for collective action to ensure these reductions translate into meaningful relief for the public. 'We believe this must be a national effort. We are calling for a national campaign for price reductions. If others also respond, it will reflect in the lives of ordinary Ghanaians,' he urged. The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, commended FABAG for its leadership and appealed to other trade associations, including the Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA), to follow FABAG's example by adjusting their prices downward. 'We are seeing improvements in the cedi and inflation is slowing. It's time for businesses to reflect this in their pricing. I appeal to GUTA and others to support this effort so Ghanaians can truly feel the recovery,' the Minister remarked. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance - Republic of Ghana.
