GHANAIAN government will host the 57th Annual Meeting, of African Development Bank Group, and the 48th Annual Meeting of African Development Fund. The meetings will hold from 23 to 27 of May, 2022. Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between Ghana and AfDB, for hosting the event was signed on Monday, in Accra, Ghana.
Kenneth Ofori-Atta, Ghanaian Finance Minister, and current chairman of the AfDB Boards of Governors, signed the agreement, on behalf of his government; while Vincent Nmehielle, Secretary-General, signed for AfDB Group. The MOU kicked-off preparations for the event, anticipated to be “supper successful and unprecedented” in the history of AfDB Group.
Due to Covid-19 considerations, plans are said to be under way to hold the meetings in a “hybrid format”. The Bank’s Governors, Executive Directors and Senior Management and officials will be physically present at the event, to be held at Accra International Conference Centre; while others will participate virtually.
Ofori-Atta highlighted the role and strategic importance of the Bank Group as a “catalyst for Africa’s economic development”. Particularly in addressing the devastating impact of the health and economic crisis brought on by Covid-19 and climate change.
Ofori-Atta said: “These are not normal times and we must do whatever it takes to make the African Development Bank that institution that fundamentally our constituents need and through its activities, respond to the massive challenges confronting our continent.”
AKINWUNMI ADESINA, President of AfDB, was commended by Ofori-Atta for his efforts in leading the institution into “a key pillar” for Africa’s transformation. He acknowledged that the Bank has made progress, but said it was inadequate to propel the continent to “secure a green, inclusive and robust recovery”.
At the Annual Meetings, the Boards of Governors of the Bank, and the African Development Fund will review the Group’s activities over the previous year. The 2022 event will provide opportunity to take stock of the continent’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, how to ramp up vaccination against the pandemic, and the growing threat posed by climate change.
Vincent Nmehielle, AfDB Secretary-General said the signed MOU, defines the responsibilities between the host country and outlines various requirements for hosting meetings; and marked the commencement of planning towards the 2022 event.
In addition to the key statutory engagements, Nmehielle said, the event will feature knowledge events that will deliberate on the continent’s challenges, including cross-cutting issues.
“On behalf of the President of the Bank Group, I wish to assure the Government of Ghana of our commitment and availability to work with you towards a successful hosting of the meetings. We’d continue to engage with the host country team throughout the preparatory process”, Nmehielle further stated.
Nmehielle conveyed the Bank’s appreciation to Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, for his continued support for the Bank. Senior officials of the Bank – including the Country Manager, Eyerusalem Fasika, and senior officials of the Ghana Ministry of Finance, were present at the signing of the MOU.
