Closure of Benin border a big blow to ECOWAS – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has observed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has a lot on its table to do in order to achieve the desired integration indicating that there is a delicate period ahead of the regional bloc.

Addressing an eight-member delegation of the First Bank of Nigeria at the Jubilee House when they paid a courtesy call on him, Akufo-Addo said developments such as the closure of the Benin border recently raises serious concerns that threaten the ECOWAS project.

“We about to enter quiet a delicate period in the ECOWAS journey,” the President said.

Among others, Akufo Addo observed that “looking ahead of the possibility of a single currency, and trying to forge greater integration among the economies of countries within ECOWAS”, are important issues confronting the Regional body.

“At the same time we have important security and other issues that confront us”. “We have this business of the closure of the Benin border which seem to be a big blow to the ECOWAS project” the President added.

With all the foregoing, the President noted that he believes “there are other considerations that the entire ECOWAS bloc has to look at and examine to find a way so we can live in this region in harmony” and allow the ambitions of every country in the sub-region to be fulfilled.

Group Chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria

Group Chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria, Dr Oba Otudeko, in his remarks commended government for the successful clean up of the banking space in Ghana and for the economic stability Ghana is currently enjoying.

He indicated that FBN Bank in Ghana will continue to contribute it quota to the development of the financial sector of the country.

The Delegation

The Delegation of the First Bank was led by Dr. Oba Otudeko, CFR, the Group Chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria. Other members included Mrs. Ibukun Awosika Chairman, FirstBank Nigeria Ltd, Mr. UK Eke, MFR, Group Managing Director, Mrs. Debola Osibogun
Non-Executive Director, Dr. Hamza Wuro Bokki Non-Executive Director, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan Managing Director, FirstBank Nigeria Ltd, and Mr. Victor Yaw Asante, Managing Director, FBNBank Ghana Ltd.

First Bank of Nigeria

First Bank of Nigeria is a Nigerian multinational bank and financial services company headquartered in Lagos. First Bank of Nigeria is ably represented in Ghana by FBN Bank Ghana Limited. It is the biggest bank in Nigeria by total deposits and gross earnings.

It operates a network of over 750 business locations across Africa, the United Kingdom and representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Johannesburg set up to capture trade-related business between geographies. The bank specialises in retail banking and has the largest retail client base in Nigeria.

The bank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to customers and investors wishing to explore the vast business opportunities available in Nigeria and other business locations across Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Founded in 1894 as The Bank for British West Africa, FBN Group’s FirstBank was the very first banking institution to be established on the African continent.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh