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OmniBSIC Bank Forges Deeper Collaboration With China For Mutual Prosperity | Banking/Finance

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OmniBSIC Bank, a leading financial institution in Ghana, has announced its commitment to strengthening collaboration and partnership with China in order to enhance the seamless transaction of businesses and build socio-economic development between the two countries.

The Bank’s Managing Director, Daniel Asiedu made this known during the 62nd signing ceremony of the treaty of friendship between Ghana and China, where he noted that OmniBSIC Bank’s commitment to working closely with China aligns with the broader efforts of the Ghanaian government to strengthen bilateral ties and attract foreign investment.

Mr. Asiedu emphasised the importance of fostering closer ties with China highlighting the potential for increased trade and investment opportunities that could be mutually beneficial for both countries.

“OmniBSIC Bank has a very firm association and roots with China. Our sister company, Zoomlion, is well known for its strategic partnerships in Ghana, Africa and China. We are therefore excited to be given this recognition and platform by Ghana-China Friendship Association (GHACHIFA) to deepen our business association with China to promote the Socio-Economic development of our two nations,” he said.

The commitment to collaboration and partnership with China is in line with OmniBSIC Bank’s strategic vision to expand its global reach and provide enhanced financial services to its customers. The bank aims to leverage China’s economic strength and expertise to facilitate smoother and more efficient trade and financial transactions.

Explaining further, he said: “As a bank, we have a strategic objective, in the spirit of oneness, to establish strong and lasting mutually beneficial relationships with the Chinese Community in Ghana. In this regard, we have established a Chinese Representative Desk in the bank to help us bond with Chinese enterprises and cater to your unique banking needs.
Furthermore, we have registered as a corporate member of GHACHIFA and intend to do more collaborations with the Chinese Community. I am here today with senior officials of OmniBSIC Bank who are eager to engage with you on how we can forge long-lasting and mutually beneficial business relationships.”

The OmniBSIC head also highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of Ghana’s economy through its partnership with China. He expressed optimism that increased collaboration between the two countries would lead to the creation of new business opportunities and job prospects for the Ghanaian people.

On his part, Chairman of the Ghana-China Friendship Association (GHACHIFA), Anani Demuyakor said thetreaty signifies a significant milestone in the relationship between Ghana and China, solidifying years of friendship and cooperation, and paving the way for further collaboration in various fields.

“Our gathering here is truly a testament to the commitment of both nations towards strengthening bonds of trust, understanding, and mutual support. We have witnessed remarkable progress, marked by increased trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between our two great nations,” he said

He stressed that the commemoration of the 62nd treaty anniversary of signing the treaty opens new avenues for economic growth, technological advancements, and social development, which will undoubtedly bring about lasting benefits for the people of both countries.

“The Ghana-China Friendship Association has played a vital role in fostering this friendship, by promoting dialogue, enhancing cultural understanding, and facilitating exchanges at various levels,” he added.

The event was graced with dignitaries from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Ghana Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Ghana Immigration Services, and members of GHACHIFA, among others. Other highlights for the night include a presentation of an honorary citation, conferred on Mr. Tang Hong, the President of the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies and Ghana Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as goodwill messages shared by supporting partners.

OmniBSIC Bank

OmniBSIC Bank is a fully-fledged universal bank that traces its roots to a merger between the erstwhile OmniBank and Sahel Sahara Bank. The merger was spurned by the banking sector consolidation programme introduced by the Bank of Ghana (BOG) in 2017, through a number of directives including the increment of the minimum capital requirement for banks.

The union between the two banks is one of the most successful mergers in the financial services industry. It can be described as synergistic since both banks shared similarities in business models, values, and customer experience and were both committed to offering exceptional customer service in Ghana’s banking industry.

This milestone was achieved through the collaborative effort of shareholders, directors, management, and the staff who showed willingness to embrace change to become bigger and better in the Banking industry.

OmniBSIC has reinforced its corporate governance structures and invested in its infrastructure to align with BOG’s Corporate Governance and other regulatory directives. The Bank is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all operations, thereby creating a reliable framework for clients to conduct their banking activities with us.

With our headquarters at Atlantic Tower, Airport City, and an extensive Branch network of 40 across Ghana, OmniBSIC provides a complete range of products, services, and digital offerings tailored to the needs of our Corporate, SME, and individual customers while supporting the communities in which we operate. In our commitment to creating excellent banking experiences for our customers every day, the Bank continues to invest in technology and employee development. All staff are thus carefully selected and empowered through comprehensive training programmes.

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Ghana Reports First Oil Output Increase in Five Years With Production Rising By 10.7%

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Ghana has recorded a 10.7% increase in crude oil production in the first half of 2024, marking a reversal in a five-year trend of declining output, according to a report by Ghana’s Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC).

The growth was largely driven by the Jubilee South East (JSE) project, managed by Tullow Oil, which began production in late 2023. This addition to Ghana’s Jubilee oil field helped boost production to 24.86 million barrels by June 2024, compared to a 13.2% decline over the same period in 2023.

PIAC’s half-year report also highlighted a significant rise in petroleum revenue, which surged by 56% year-on-year to $840.8 million by mid-2024. Ghana, a country that began oil production in 2010, depends on petroleum revenue for around 7% of government income. The report further noted a 7.5% increase in gas output, reaching 139.86 million standard cubic feet by June.

Despite the positive trend, Isaac Dwamena, coordinator of PIAC, cautioned that Ghana’s petroleum sector faces both technical and financial challenges. Ghanaian law requires oil companies to allocate at least 12% of project shares to the state, a mandate Dwamena noted can deter investment due to the high cost. “The state can take 15%, 20% carried interest based on negotiations, and that has been a disincentive,” he explained.

To further drive production, Ghana is planning to sell more exploration rights, aiming to harness its fossil fuel resources while also generating funds to support its energy transition. Major oil companies operating in the country include Eni, Tullow Oil, Kosmos Energy, and PetroSA.

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President urges universities to strengthen ties with industries

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on universities in Ghana to strengthen ties with government, industries, and the communities they serve to ensure that researches are aligned with the needs of society.

That would contribute directly to the realisation of national development goals, he said.

The President made the call at Nyankpala during a ceremony to inaugurate a three-storey multi-purpose building for the University of Development Studies (UDS).

The building fulfills the President’s promise to the UDS during its 25 Anniversary celebrations.

It is named the “Silver Jubilee Building” in remembrance of the President.

The facility boasts of offices, conference halls, lecture theaters, and houses some faculties of the university.

President Akufo-Addo said universities were “breeding grounds” for ideas, researches and innovations that drove the nation’s progress and should remain actively engaged in the development process.

He said government believed in educating the population as the bedrock of a thriving democracy, a vibrant economy and a just society.

The President, thus, outlined some policies implemented aimed at improving access to education at all levels, which included the “no guarantor policy”.

He said the policy had improved access to tertiary education as it had eliminated financial barriers that historically prevented brilliant students from pursuing higher education.

The “no guarantor policy” for student loans increased the numbers of students seeking tertiary education from 443,978 in the 2016-2017 academic year to 711,695 in the 2020-2023 academic year, an increase of 60.3 per cent.

President Akufo-Addo said his government had extended considerable energy and resources to the education sector, recognising it as the most powerful tool to transforming the nation.

He said: “The considerable budgetary allocations within the period totaling some GH¢12.8 billion, amply demonstrates the shared determination of the Akufo-Addo government to ensure that education becomes a catalyst around which the transformation of our nation revolves.”

Source: GNA

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We’ve learnt our lessons; we won’t borrow to finance 2024/2025 crop season

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The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced that it will transition to self-financing for the 2024/2025 cocoa crop season, starting in September 2024.

For the past 32 years, COCOBOD has relied on offshore borrowing to finance cocoa purchases through its cocoa syndication programme. However, the organization is shifting its strategy to reduce dependency on external funds.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, August 20, COCOBOD’s CEO, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, explained that this new approach is expected to save an estimated $150 million.

“Is it good that always COCOBOD should be heard going to borrow? Are we comfortable with that tag? Today, you have heard that COCOBOD is not going to borrow. It is quite a good time for any human being to learn his or her lessons.

“In 32 years, we have learned our lessons and we think that it is high time we wean ourselves from the offshore international financial markets and then finance the crop ourselves here and that is exactly what we are going to do. And I think it comes with a lot of projectory benefits.

“We are looking for $1.5 billion this crop season and looking at the interest rates last year, which were over 8 percent, plus the cost, it means that we can save more than $150 million by the decision not to go offshore.

He also denied assertions that COCOBOD was short-changing farmers with its pricing of cocoa.

“It is not true that COCOBOD is not giving the farmers a fair price. If you follow the narrative, you will notice that from 2017 on, COCOBOD has even been more than fair.

“The government had been more than fair to farmers because this was a time when prices had collapsed but the government and COCOBOD did not reduce the farmers’ price.”

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