Mahama Sworn in as Ghana’s President for a Third Time Against the Backdrop of an Economic Crisis
ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — John Mahama was sworn in as president of Ghana for a third time Tuesday against the backdrop of the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation. Thousands of Ghanaians from all walks of life attended the ceremony in the capital.
AP | By Francis Kokutse | Updated 11:59 AM EST, January 7, 2025
Ghana's President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, waves after taking the oath of office at his inauguration, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Misper Apawu
AP | By Francis Kokutse | Updated 11:59 AM EST, January 7, 2025ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — John Mahama was president of Ghana for a third time Tuesday against the backdrop of the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation. Thousands of Ghanaians from all walks of life attended the ceremony in the capital.
Supporters of President John Dramani Mahama, attend his inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Misper Apawu
Mahama promised to “reset” the country on various fronts during a campaign that prioritized the economy and largely appealed to young Ghanaians who saw the vote as a way out of the country’s economic crisis.
Kenya's President William Ruto, centre, is seen among the guests attending Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Credit: AP/Misper Apawu
“There is a seismic shift happening within the system of global economic dominance,” he said Tuesday in his address at the Independence Square in Accra. ”Now more than ever before, we need to strengthen our ties with our neighbors to ensure that we are working together to keep our sub-region safe.”
Supporters of President John Dramani Mahama, attend his inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Several African leaders attended the ceremony, including Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Kenya’s William Ruto, Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi, and Burkina Faso’s Capt. Ibrahim Traore.
Burkina Faso's President brahim Traoré, left, with, Botswana's President Duma Boko, and Guinea's President Mamady Doumbouya, seen among the guests attending Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama inauguration ceremony, at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, Jan.7, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
In his address, Mahama said he will focus on economic restoration and stabilization of the macroeconomic environment, as well as on good governance and the fight against corruption.
The election in December for both president and members of parliament was held against the backdrop of the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups. West Africa’s regional bloc of ECOWAS said the election was generally peaceful, a continuing trend in Ghana.
Andrew Takyi, founder of a local fintech company, Zee Pay, told The Associated Press: “l am hopeful that President Mahama will use the 24-hour economy he campaigned on to improve the country. He can use that to widen the tax base of small and medium enterprises to improve revenue.”
Innocent Appiah, a senior media research officer at the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, said he expects the Mahama administration to “prioritize transparency and accountability in the extractive industry, ensuring that the PMMC plays a more effective role in regulating and monitoring the sector.”
“I anticipate policies that promote value addition, local content development, and community engagement, ultimately leading to increased revenue generation and socio-economic benefits for Ghanaians,” he said.
Enyonam Agble, a trader attending the inauguration, said: “There was so much corruption under President Akufo-Addo and all we want is the recovery of all that had been stolen to rebuild the country.”
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Burkinabe President, Ibrahim Traore greeted by the Burkinabe community living in Ghana during the inauguration of John Mahama.
This was how the President, Capt. Ibrahim Traore was greeted by the Burkinabe community living in Ghana during the inauguration of John Mahama. Burkinabes seem to love this young man and are proud of him. A new era in Africa has begun. John Mahama was sworn in on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as Ghana's president for the third time, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in a generation.
In doing all of this, Captain Traore never filled a stadium to make all of those promises like others do; he just came out and delivered basic services to the people of Burkina Faso. You can not like what he has done within a short period.
Sierra Leone GO-FOR-GOLD Permanent Residency Program
Sierra Leone has launched its GO-FOR-GOLD permanent residency program, a significant initiative aimed at attracting global investors. The program offers lifetime residency rights in exchange for gold investments. The residency is granted in exchange for a physical gold investment, ensuring investors play a part in Sierra Leone’s development. This innovative approach positions Sierra Leone as a leader in the investment migration industry.
Theo Edwards for YAME
A program built on Sierra Leone’s Natural strengths
How the Residency Program works
Sierra Leone has launched its GO-FOR-GOLD permanent residency program, a significant initiative aimed at attracting global investors. The program offers lifetime residency rights in exchange for gold investments. The residency is granted in exchange for a physical gold investment, ensuring investors play a part in Sierra Leone’s development. This innovative approach positions Sierra Leone as a leader in the investment migration industry.
The GO-FOR-GOLD program, developed with Stephen Barnes and the Hong Kong Visa Centre, requires investors to buy physical gold stored securely in government vaults for five years. It offers three customized packages:
Single Applicant: For $65,000 and one kilogram of gold, an individual can apply for residency.
Nuclear Family: This package costs $75,000 and includes one kilogram of gold for families.
Extended Family: The most comprehensive package costs $100,000, with two kilograms of gold.
All gold utilized in the program is 99.99% LBMA-certified bullion, securely stored by the Central Bank of Sierra Leone. Remarkably, if gold prices increase, the purchase requirements will adjust downward, making this a smart and adaptable investment choice for forward-thinking investors.
LBMA is the acronym for the London Bullion Market Association. It is an international trade association, responsible for setting up standards in the global bullion market. Its members include traders, refiners, producers, miners, and storage and secure carrier services.
Key Benefits of The Program
- Fast Approval: 40-day application process
- Remote Application: Fully online process, no in-country residency required
- GFG Club Membership: Exclusive networking and investment opportunities with Sierra Leonean business leaders
- Tax Advantages: No national taxation consequences and tax residency certification available
- Global Flexibility: Banking facilities outside the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework
Successful applicants may purchase an additional 19 kilograms of gold at discounted rates over five years, enhancing their investment opportunities.
Barnes hinted at future developments: “Phase two will include an expedited pathway to naturalization. More details soon.”
Sierra Leone’s Chief Immigration Officer, Hon. Alusine Kanneh, underscored the program's critical importance: “This initiative unlocks the wealth of our land while harnessing the ambition of our people. Sierra Leone is evolving into a modern, inclusive, and progressive nation.” Sierra Leone has shown resilience and innovation, highlighting its role in Africa’s economic revival. This program also provides applicants with broader residency options within ECOWAS, which consists of 15 member countries.
Sierra Leone is a prime destination for savvy investors seeking residency opportunities. This initiative allows investors to gain permanent residency by investing in gold, contributing to the country’s economic development. With all-inclusive packages and a refund policy, it provides a secure and flexible choice for long-term residency.
Theo Edwards for YAME
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to Launch Passports Under New Alliance
Mali says the Alliance of Sahel States comprising itself, Burkina Faso, and Niger, will introduce new biometric passports to reflect the new union as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries.
ReutersMali says the Alliance of Sahel States comprising itself, Burkina Faso, and Niger, will introduce new biometric passports to reflect the new union as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries.
TRT AFRIKA
15 Sep 2024
UPDATE: Three countries cut ties with ECOWAS
“PRESS RELEASE: Withdrawal of Burkina Faso-Mali-Niger from ECOWAS.”
In early 2024, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso formally applied to withdraw from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. / Photo: Reuters
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will introduce new biometric passports as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries, Mali's leader said on Sunday.
The three junta-led Sahel neighbors jointly announced in January they would leave the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has sought to persuade them to reconsider their decision.
Burkina Faso announced earlier this month that it was rolling out new passports without the ECOWAS logo.
"In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonizing travel documents in our common area and facilitating the mobility of our citizens throughout the world", Malian junta leader Assimi Goita announced on Sunday evening.
Shared information channel
He spoke ahead of a meeting on Monday between the three countries' foreign ministers on the anniversary of the decision to form their own alliance.
Goita also said they were planning to launch a shared information channel "in order to promote a harmonious dissemination of information in our three states."
ECOWAS has warned that the three countries' withdrawal would undermine the freedom of movement and common market of the 400 million people living in the 49-year-old bloc.
Their departure comes as their armies battle armed groups, whose insurgencies have destabilized the region over the past decade and threatened to spill over into coastal West African states.
ReutersThree Sahel nations, including Burkina Faso, to launch a common passport to facilitate the movement of people within their new confederation.
Sierra Leone Heads ECOWAS Parliament
Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament
The election of Hon Tunis marks the first time that Sierra Leone is occupying the position of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament since its establishment in 2002. The Speaker promised to assist the ECOWAS Commission in its integrated economic activities by providing the much-needed oversight in the areas of industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, youth empowerment, and monetary and financial issues.
The position is rotational
The President of the Republic of Liberia, George Weah, has sent a letter of congratulations to the new Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Honorable Sidi Mohamed Tunis, the current Leader of Government Business representing the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) in the Sierra Leone House of Parliament. Has on Monday 9th March 2020 elected and sworn in as Speaker of the regional Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament.
President Weah (L); Honorable Sidi Mohamed Tunis (R): In his letter, President Weah convey heartfelt congratulations to Sidi Mohamed Tunis in his election and installation to the Honorable office of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament on his behalf and that of the peace-loving people of the Republic of Liberia.
President Weah once served as head of the Liberian delegation to the regional parliamentary block when he was a senator, expressed his confidence, and a hopefully proactive 5th Legislature, with much energy exerted at addressing the problems that characterize our states.
A Member of Parliament for Constituency 101 in the Southern Provincial district of Pujehun, Honorable Tunis was overwhelmingly elected to replace Senegalese Mustapha Cisse`LO as Speaker of the regional legislative council is expected to serve in that position until 2024.
The position is rotational. Togo will be in line to succeed Sierra Leone.
In his acceptance message, the Honourable Speaker called for partnership between members of the ECOWAS. He said he is overwhelmed with the support he enjoys from the Government of President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Tunis tenure comes at a time West African region is struggling with scores of different issues ranging from political, economic, and the threat from the coronavirus disease, which has reported in two member states; Nigeria and Senegal.
In a message from the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio sent to Members of the ECOWAS Parliament, he disclosed he knows the Speaker for several years, and he served in several leadership positions in his country. His wealth of knowledge he will bring to the table to make ECOWAS Parliament a better institution than it is currently.
The election of Hon Tunis marks the first time that Sierra Leone is occupying the position of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament since its establishment in 2002. The Speaker promised to assist the ECOWAS Commission in its integrated economic activities by providing the much-needed oversight in the areas of industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, youth empowerment, and monetary and financial issues.
The speaker continues in response stated he is mindful of Article 2 of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security adopted in Lomé 10th December 1999, and that he'll work with the Authority of Heads of State, Government, and the Council of Ministers to ensure our sub-region is safe, secure, and prosperous.
Peacekeepers from nations left their families, served, and in some instances, died protecting vulnerable populations of our community. The responsibility is ours to protect the peace we enjoy today and work tirelessly to bring to end instabilities in our region.
ECOWAS Drug Action Plan 2016-2020
Schools are not free from the menace of drug abuse that has engulfed society.
The regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the country’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has embarked on five-day prevention and sensitization on the use of drugs in schools.
The initiative started Monday 17th February 2020 at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School, Kissy Dockyard, brought together major schools in the East End of Freetown. The program said to be in line with the implementation of the ECOWAS Drug Action Plan 2016-2020 and wholly funded by the ECOWAS Commission.
ECOWAS engages schools on the harmful effects of Substance Abuse
The regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the country’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has embarked on five-day prevention and sensitization on the use of drugs in schools.
The initiative started Monday 17th February 2020 at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School, Kissy Dockyard, brought together major schools in the East End of Freetown. The program said to be in line with the implementation of the ECOWAS Drug Action Plan 2016-2020 and wholly funded by the ECOWAS Commission.
The Executive Director of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Abdul Sheku Kargbo, said as an Agency, they have been visiting schools and communities to raise awareness on the harmful effects of substance abuse. Schools are not free from the menace of drug abuse that has engulfed society. Taking drugs affects the physical and mental health of young adults. Including their learning ability and may also lead to untimely deaths, said the NDLEA director. He disclosed that the said drugs are now available in schools, bars, cafes, and night clubs as well as in remote villages.
ECOWAS-NDLEA Drug Use Prevention sensitization will conduct across 52 secondary schools in the country, targeting 2,000 students.
The schools grouped into 5 Clusters: East, Central, and West of Freetown; Bo and Makeni. The campaign will comprise of visual presentations and interactive sessions.
Mr. Alhaji Abdul Karim Sesay, Principal, Ahmadiyya Secondary School, added, drug misuse is on the rampage and that there is a need to wage war against it.
Daniel Amankwaah, Principal Program Officer, Drug Prevention and Control at the ECOWAS Commission, said the Commission is in full support of the ongoing schools' campaign on the prevention and control of drugs. He pleaded with students not to allow anyone to take part in substance abuse. He also asked them to go back to their various schools to teach their colleagues about the harmful use of drugs.
The National Drug Law Enforcement was established by the National Drugs Control Act, 2008. Its mandate is the control of and prevention of abuse of narcotic drugs, and to provide for other related matters.
At ECOWAS Court of Justice
In a landmark decision for the West African Region and Africa in general, the court again ordered the government of Sierra Leone to put in place measures including social programs to address increased numbers of teenage pregnancies and sensitize the communities against discrimination.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice based in Abuja, Nigeria, on Thursday 12th December 2019, ordered the government of Sierra Leone to lift the ban on pregnant school girls with immediate effect. The Court, in its ruling, found that the government breached the right of pregnant girls to education by prohibiting them from accessing school.
Victory For Pregnant School Girls In Sierra Leone
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice based in Abuja, Nigeria, on Thursday 12th December 2019, ordered the government of Sierra Leone to lift the ban on pregnant school girls with immediate effect. The Court, in its ruling, found that the government breached the right of pregnant girls to education by prohibiting them from accessing school.
In the judgment, the Court found the government of Sierra Leone had not only put in place a discriminatory policy barring pregnant girls from school but also failed to implement measures to reduce teenage pregnancies in line with the National Strategy for the Reduction of Teen Pregnancies, which was adopted after the civil war.
Further, the court found the government had discriminated against the girls by setting up parallel schools that were suboptimal and limiting in scope of subjects. Four subjects taught for three days a week.
In a landmark decision for the West African Region and Africa in general, the court again ordered the government of Sierra Leone to put in place measures including social programs to address increased numbers of teenage pregnancies and sensitize the communities against discrimination.
Speaking in Abuja at the sidelines of the judgment reading, Miss Hannah Yambasu, Executive Director of Women Against Violence, and Exploitation in Society (WAVES) said she was overjoyed.
A victory for the girls who have been dehumanized since 2014
The government has no option but to comply with the obligations declared by the Court. WAVES, Child Welfare Society, Equality Now, and Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa IHRDA filed the case against the Sierra Leone Government in May 2018.
Ms. Judy Gitau, Africa Regional Coordinator at Equality Now, was also at the court as the agent of the girls was excited by the outcome of their case. The girls have had their day in court and have emerged victorious. The ECOWAS Court has given them their voices back and by that a chance at life again.
Amnesty International, who was Amicus Curiae in the case, also was present at the judgment reading.
The Court sought to set the record straight regarding what policy was since the government of Sierra Leone had initially denied the existence and claimed it was an unfortunate statement by their Minister. The Court held that the government took what was a sporadic practice and entrenched it as State policy banning pregnant girls from accessing school on account of their status.
Sexual violence remains widespread in Sierra Leone with women and girls, who constitute more than 50 percent of the population, bearing the brunt of these violations. In 2018 the Family Unit of the Sierra Leone Police recorded 8,505 rape cases including 2,579 cases that involved minors. Admittedly many more went unreported because of the existing gaps in the country’s reporting systems as well as the stigma associated with this violation. The situation became so dire that the Head of State declared rape a national emergency in 2019.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice specifically held that: There exists a policy which was discriminatory against pregnant schoolgirls in Sierra Leone as it barred pregnant schoolgirls from attending mainstream schools. Consequently, the court held that the Government was in breach of its commitments and responsibility under both local and international law particularly Articles 2, 3, 17, 18, 25 of the African Charter; Article 21 and 28a of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention Against Discrimination in Education.
About alternative schools for pregnant girls, the Court held that the establishment of separate schools for pregnant with four taught subjects operating three days a week was discriminatory and a violation of the right to equal education.
The Court also asked the Government of Sierra Leone to develop strategies and nationwide programs that focus on reversing negative societal attitudes that support the discrimination and bias against pregnant girls.
These strategies and programs must enable teenage mothers to attend school.
The Government of Sierra Leone also ordered to integrate Sexual Reproductive Health Rights in the school curriculum. Increase knowledge of family planning and contraceptive to address the high rate of teenage pregnancy.
The New Direction government has an opportunity now to reverse a ban instigated by the former APC government led by Ernest Bai Koroma.
Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES) is a registered indigenous non-governmental organization with its vision, mission, and values geared towards women’s empowerment and protection. WAVES strive towards the achievement of a non-violent, non- discriminatory, and non-exploitative environment for women and children, especially the 'girl-child.' An environment that has respect for humanity, dignity, and equality before the law.
Equality Now is an international non-governmental, human rights organization that was founded in 1992 to advance the rights of women and girls across the world. The organization holds governments responsible for ending legal inequality, sex trafficking, sexual violence, and harmful practices, such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and "child marriage." While working through various projects, Equality Now champions legal and systemic change by setting important legal precedents and exposing barriers that hinder access to justice.
Equality Now has therefore been working with WAVES, Defence for Children International (DCI) Sierra Leone, Women’s Partnership for Justice and Peace (WPJP), Graceland Sierra Leone, Child Welfare Society (CWS), and the Education for All Coalition – Sierra Leone, to call on the government to lift the ban on pregnant girls attending regular schools. To ensure that schools are safe spaces for girls, and to ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence against girls are punished.
Purposeful is a feminist movement-building hub for adolescent girls. We amplify girls’ voices, resource their resistance, build solidarity between and across girls’ movements, catalyze collaborative philanthropy, and support innovation in grassroots programming with/ and for girls.
Purposeful convened a coalition for girls’ education in Sierra Leone, launched a political advocacy campaign underpinned by media outreach to bring attention to the injustice of Sierra Leone ban on pregnant girls’ school attendance.
The Coalition for Girls Education
Comprises over 30 organizations among them, national NGOs, UN Agencies, and international NGOs that focus on conveying the importance of girls’ access to education. The national conversation on the impact of the ban on the rights of girls in Sierra Leone. Besides, the Coalition for Girls Education is a subset of the Sierra Leone Adolescent Girls Network and works to empower adolescent girls with improved health, social, economic, and cognitive assets while protecting their human rights and elevating their status in their communities.
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ECOWAS Board Of Governors To Meet In Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone, one of the member states of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), will be hosting the 17th meeting of Board of Governors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) on Monday 7th October 2019, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen, Freetown.
The meeting will bring together fifteen (15) ECOWAS Member States, which include: Sierra Leone Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, The Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Benin, and Cape Verde.
The meeting will bring together fifteen (15) ECOWAS Member States
Sierra Leone, one of the member states of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), will be hosting the 17th meeting of Board of Governors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) on Monday 7th October 2019, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen, Freetown.
The meeting will bring together fifteen (15) ECOWAS Member States, which include: Sierra Leone Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, The Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Benin, and Cape Verde. The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development Board of Governors is made up of Ministers responsible for Finance and Economic Development in the fifteen ECOWAS countries, and the current Chair of the Board of Governors is Senegal, whose tenure of office will come to an end after the Board meeting in Freetown.
Sierra Leone will automatically assume the new Chairmanship of the Bank until the next Board of Governors meeting in 2020. Sierra Leone’s current Minister of Finance, Hon. Jacob Jusu Saffa is expected to Chair the Board. As Chair of the Board of Governors will create more opportunities for both public and private sectors to access funds from the bank for its development projects.
The Annual meeting of the Board of Governors is rotational alphabetically among the 15 member states.
The Bank's President, Bashir Mamman Ifo, was appointed after serving as Vice President, Finance and Corporate Services in 2007. Mr. Ifo's tenure renewed for another four-years. His mandate will come to an end on 9th October 2019. The Governors of the Bank will either vote or elect the President through a consensus-building process.
Twenty candidates applied for the position of President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID). Seven shortlisted by the Directors of EBID. Three candidates emerged from amongst whom, the new President of the Bank will be selected.
EBID has financed three projects in Sierra Leone; the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Modernization and expansion of network and telecommunication infrastructure of SIERRATEL, and Solar Street Light in Freetown and 13 Communities in Sierra Leone.
The Government of Sierra Leone has requested the Bank to finance the Kono University of Science and Technology for USD 50 million. USD15 million to finance the proposed Diagnostic Centre of Excellence.
EBID started operations 1st January 2004 as a holding company with two specialized subsidiaries:
The ECOWAS Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for financing the public sector
The ECOWAS Regional Investment Bank (ERIB) for financing the private sector
On the 16th June 2006, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government agreed to the reorganization of the EBID Group into a single entity, with two windows: one for promoting the private sector, and the other for developing the public sector.
EBID has been operating under its current structure since January 2007. The headquarters of the Bank is in Lome, Togo Republic.
ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum To Be Hosted In Ghana
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) will be hosting its third annual ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) on 22-24 October 2019 in Accra, Ghana. The event is expected to bring together West Africa’s top elected officials, policymakers, industry leaders and other individuals committed to moving forward the sustainable energy agenda.
22-24 October 2019 * Kempinski Hotel
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) will be hosting its third annual ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) on 22-24 October 2019 in Accra, Ghana. The event is expected to bring together West Africa’s top elected officials, policymakers, industry leaders and other individuals committed to moving forward the sustainable energy agenda.
ECREEE and its sister agencies, the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Authority (ERERA) made tremendous gains in policy and regulatory framework for the viable sustainable energy market.
Energy access and growth as one of, a key objective of ESEF2019.
ECREEE further explained that this year’s forum also marks a special relationship with two partners with a demonstrated commitment to sustainable communities around the world: Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the off-grid industry association consisting of more than 130 members active in Africa to deliver innovative clean energy solutions; and GET.invest, a European program that mobilises renewable energy investments.
The Executive Director of ECREEE, Mr. Mahama Kappiah, said ECOWAS region is on the brink of a major energy industry transformation. He noted progress in the development of utility-scale renewable energy projects and off-grid electrification major initiatives such as the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP) and the West Africa Clean Energy Corridor, ECREEE is proposing key investment opportunities to facilitate a more sustainable West Africa.
Executive Director of Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), Mr. Marcus Wiemann stressed that building on the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with ECREEE at the fifth ARE Energy Access Investment Forum in Abidjan this year and the recommendations that emerged from the subsequent policy dialogues, ARE is keen to develop win-win partnerships between the local and international private sectors, as well as deepen cooperation to boost off-grid renewable energy technologies in West Africa.
Special guests at this year’s ESEF include high-level delegates, among them: H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President, The Republic of Ghana, H.E. Jean-Claude Brou, President, ECOWAS Commission, John Peter Amewu, Minister of Energy, Ghana, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Sierra Leone, Dr. Bachir Ismael Ouedraogo, Minister of Energy, Burkina Faso, Sediko Douka, Commissioner for Energy and Mines, ECOWAS, Executives from the climate and energy finance sectors, technology manufacturers and distributors, and others.
The forum will provide a platform for improving the policy and regulatory landscape for private sector investment, where attendees will be able to liaise with financiers and secure other resources to fund their business endeavors.
Over the 3-day event, utility-scale renewable energy projects, off-grid electrification, energy access, financing, and investment will be the theme. Additionally, a large exhibition will be held at ESEF2019 to allow manufacturers, developers, financial institutions, and other companies to showcase their products and services. Interested parties should contact sponsor@ESEF2019.org.
ESEF2019 aim to be a platform for establishing valuable partnerships between ECOWAS policymakers, regional, international private sector, and financial institutions.
ESEF is supported this year by The Austrian Development Cooperation (ADA); The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID); UNIDO; German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ); The World Bank Group; The European Union; The Global Environment Facility (GEF); Sustainable Energy for All; GET.invest; and ARE.