The Ghana Association of Bankers has honoured President Kufuor for his immense contribution towards development of the financial services sector and for making Ghana a part of the globalized world. This was at the eighth annual working luncheon of the Association in Accra. Captains of the industry who steered the affairs of the Bank of Ghana at one time or the other since 1965 to date were honoured, some posthumously. They are Albert Adomako, Alex Ashiagbor, J.S. Addo, G.K. Agama, Kwabena Dufuor and Dr. Paul Acquah.
In his address President Kufuor observed that the globalization phenomenon is making the financial world a seamless one, and as the main vehicle for the movement of money it is time banks develop the financial muscle as well as the skills and techniques for managing risk while engaging leading global businesses in critical areas like oil, energy and telecommunications. President Kufuor explained that this is partly why the Bank of Ghana should be supported in its efforts towards increasing capitalization of banks.
President Kufuor further indicated that the oil-find and impending development of an integrated bauxite and aluminium industry are bound to produce an influx of investments. This is why the establishment of an off-shore bank by the government in collaboration with Barclays Bank must be seen as timely. The President of the Ghana Association of Bankers, Jude Arthur commended the government for the strategic laws and measures being put in place to change the conduct of business in the banking sector for the better.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Paul Acquah expressed appreciation for the cooperation and responsiveness of the banking industry in implementing the reforms over the past few years especially the re-denomination exercise and the E-ZWICH platform.