Leaders in the country's financial services sector converged on the Jubilee House yesterday for a crucial planning session with the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, ahead of the second Kwahu Business Forum, slated for Saturday, April 19, this year.

The closed-door meeting brought together the heads of Ghana's most influential financial institutions, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Exim Bank, Sylvester Mensah, the Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Ato Sarpong, and that of the National Investment Bank (NIB), Doliwura Zakaria.

Also present were the CEO of the Ghana Export Promotions Authority (GEPA), Francis K. Arthur, and that of the Development Bank Ghana (DBG), Dr Randolph Nsor-Ambala.

Transforming business environment

Mr Debrah, a successful Kwahu entrepreneur, framed the discussions around President Mahama's campaign promise to transform Ghana's business environment.

"What we're building here goes beyond traditional banking relationships," he told the gathering that also had the MD of Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), Daniel Wilson Addo, and that of the Ghana Commercial Bank, Farihan Alhassan.

The financial chiefs discussed innovative financing models during the four-hour session, with the CEO of the Venture Capital Trust Fund, Michael Abbey, stressing the need for "patient capital" to nurture small businesses into industrial-scale operations. 

SMEs

The Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Seth Terkper, moderated discussions on bridging the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) financing gap.

This year's forum, on the theme, "The Future of Business: The Role of the Financial Sector," aims to move from policy discussions to concrete implementation plans, building on connections made during the inaugural event.

Banking sources indicate several partnership announcements may be unveiled at the Kwahu summit.