UNIVERSAL MERCHANT Bank (UMB), a leading indigenous Ghanaian bank, has announced its collaboration with the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (G.A.A.S) Public Forum for 2022.
The 3-day forum, on the topic “The African Continental Free Trade Area – Challenges and Prospects,” has been structured by GAAS to offer an expert academic analysis on the challenges and prospects the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a specific assessment of its impact on economics and the law.
The 2022 edition is headlined by eminent speakers including Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana; Prof. Appiagyei-Atua, UG; Beatrice Chytor, AfCFTA and other leading academic luminaries.
The GAAS, established in 1959, is a strictly learned society, charged with the advancement of knowledge in Ghana. Its public forums are designed to bridge the gap between the academy and the general public, through joint deliberations on topical issues in society.
Speaking on the collaboration, Nana Dwemoh Benneh, CEO of UMB said, “UMB was initiated as a policy bank by the state of Ghana in 1972. I daresay it is these sort of deliberations that laid the conceptual foundation for the establishment of our Bank. Therefore, we have always been interested in supporting the basic research and thought leadership, especially in banking, finance and economics in Ghana. This sponsorship continues in a long line of thought leadership activity, including the Merchant Bank -ISSER Policy Dialogues in the early 2000’s.”
Belinda Boamah, Executive Director, Strategy, UMB, said “Our sponsorship of the event is part of the events to mark our 50th Anniversary. As we mark this milestone, we are looking forward to the next frontiers of growth for ourselves and the industry. AfCTA presents these opportunities and as an indigenous bank, we are eager to learn from experts on a viable path forward in reaching new markets and potential. A good example here would be on the question of trans-Africa payments.”
The GAAS Public Forum 2022 is scheduled from 6th June, 2022 to 8th June, 2022.