By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has called on member states of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to strengthen their commitment to the institution by meeting outstanding financial obligations to sustain its growth and regional impact.
At the 24th Ordinary Session of the Board of Governors in Accra, Dr. Forson welcomed participants on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and expressed gratitude for Ghana’s opportunity to chair the Board over the past year.
He commended the leadership of the Bank, particularly its President, George Agyekum Donkor, for steering the institution through a challenging global economic environment marked by geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainties, and uneven growth dynamics.
Despite these challenges, the Finance Minister noted that EBID recorded strong financial and operational performance in 2025, demonstrating resilience and strategic focus.
According to him, the Bank’s balance sheet expanded from 1.97 billion US dollars in 2024 to 2.39 billion US dollars in 2025, while profitability increased from 8.55 million to 9.75 million US dollars, representing a 13.3 percent growth.
He added that project approvals rose by 50 percent, with commitments increasing by over 83 percent to 813.77 million US dollars, largely driven by investments in energy and transport infrastructure.
Dr. Forson also highlighted the Bank’s growing catalytic role, noting that it mobilised over 510 million US dollars and 310 million euros to support priority projects, alongside an additional 100 million US dollars in capital mobilisation.
He further pointed to key institutional milestones, including the reaffirmation of EBID’s credit ratings by Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, as well as its accreditation with the Green Climate Fund and the opening of a regional office in Abidjan.
However, the Minister expressed concern over delays in capital contributions by member states, revealing that only Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo had fully met their obligations under the third tranche of subscriptions agreed in 2022.
He disclosed that although 102.5 million US dollars was received in 2025, outstanding arrears remain at approximately 256 million US dollars.
Dr. Forson stressed that timely capital payments are critical to strengthening the Bank’s capacity to finance transformative development projects and drive inclusive economic growth across the sub-region.
He urged member states to demonstrate renewed commitment, noting that expanding EBID’s capital base is essential to sustaining its impact.
The Finance Minister called on participants to engage in meaningful deliberations during the meeting, emphasising the need for bold decisions and collective action to shape the future of the Bank and the West African region.
He also encouraged delegates to explore Ghana’s culture and heritage during their stay, expressing hope that their visit would be both productive and memorable.
