According to him, this will remove the hustle African investors go through trying to access visas when they want to visit other parts of the continent.

“I implemented the protocol for the issuance of visas-on-arrival for all African Passport holders in June 2016. This has taken away the hustle African business people experienced travelling in and out of Ghana.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”GEA9wndW8eSulvgbjBzrWfl80pqPrAB9″]“We can do same for the whole continent. Not only for people but also for goods. We must open the opportunities of our economies to our people. This will stem the outflow of over $190 billion from the continent each year (E.g. in the road construction industry),” he added.

The former President said this when he addressed the 5th Annual Commonwealth Africa Summit in the United Kingdom today [Tuesday], March 13, 2018.

The summit was on the theme: “Common Good.”

John Mahama also explained that visas on arrival could lure African businesses to invest their monies in local economies.

“African business people will reinvest their monies in the African economy. Technology is available and for sale. We must not see investors as only foreigners.”

He also called for investment in African youth saying the continent is blessed with the necessary human resource needed to transform the continent.

“What is required in Africa is investment. Investment in these youths to deploy their skills, their talents and their innovations. Venture financing that allows the youth to transform their dreams and aspirations into multi-million Pound businesses.”

“Investment in social and economic infrastructure, in manufacturing plants that add value to the natural resources available on our continent in order to expand the availability of good paying jobs, increase taxes collected by our states in order to further open up our countries for more investments and business,” he added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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Dr. Kotei Dzani said Africa is alarmingly behind in development compared to the west, due to the failure of African leaders to prioritize developments that will impact its citizens and help push their countries country forward.

[contextly_sidebar id=”72mmLwdkLiPCSeMZmcL3fkmy8eTJoKlO”]He was speaking at this year’s Chartered Institute of Marking Ghana [CIMG], Presidential Ball, where was honoured as a fellow member of the group.

He stressed that “Our governments keep on failing us. Today I had the opportunity to speak at AUCC and I said African leaders are not thinkers,” Dr. Kotei Dzani said while addressing an audience at this year’s Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Presidential Ball.

“Africa is behind with the new economic growth across the globe. And some of us are concerned about what we will do in order to move our continent from poverty. Our governments keep on failing us.”

“I get thousands of calls asking why I say African leaders are not thinkers, but I did not say all African leaders are not thinkers. I said African leaders are not thinkers because majority of African Leaders are not thinkers,” he added.

Dr. Kotei Dzani explained that, most African leaders are selfish and syphon state funds for personal gains. He also took a swipe at African leaders who hold on to power till they are forced out saying that they are examples of authorities in governance who don’t think about their nation’s growth.

“If African leaders are thinkers they will not steal our money and go and put it in Swiss accounts. And if African leaders are thinkers, they will not be in power until we use guns to remove them and in the process destroy state assets.”

“You look at our continent and the kind of resources we have as a continent we should not be experiencing this level of poverty but what do we do, what do we see? African leaders unfortunately take decisions that will make them win an election rather than improve the lives of the people, and then those who find themselves in the minority also oppose decisions of governments that will make the government win an election.”

“So ask yourselves that; are these people honest with us across the continent? It saddens me. We need to know where we are moving to and what we want to achieve, rather than everybody coming and deciding what they want to do. We cannot develop like that. Somebody has started a road and the person is not in power and then somebody comes and says I am not interested in that road,” he added.

Groupe Ideal CEO Dr.Dzani wins banking & finance entrepreneur award

Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani was in April 2016 voted the Banking & Finance Entrepreneur for the year 2015, at the sixth Ghana Entrepreneur Awards held at the Banquet Hall State.

Organized by Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the award was in recognition of his visionary leadership, entrepreneurship acumen as well as his immense contributions to the Banking and Finance industry.

The Ghana Entrepreneur Awards is held annually to recognize and honour Ghanaians and Non-Ghanaians Entrepreneurs that have achieved strategic and sustained positive impact on the economy, community and society as a whole.

Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani’s profile

Dr. Dzani is an entrepreneur and businessman par excellence, with extensive business experience as an economist and business owner with a proven record of successful entrepreneurship with the establishment of over 8 companies within five years.

His desire is to transform Groupe Ideal into a world class conglomerate. The former Barclays Bank and Canal Capital Executive was also voted Emerging Man of the year 2014 by Accra based VIASAT1 Television.

Dr. Dzani has a rich and enviable experience in strategic innovation, business strategy and marketing; branding and human resource management coupled with his in-depth expertise in SME advisory service, asset management, development and financing of projects.

In addition, he has carried out extensive research on microfinance and commercial banking.

Dr. Dzani is an accomplished individual, a motivated self-starter and excellent negotiator with the credibility to engage and influence business at all levels.

Educational background

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana and an Honorary Doctorate from Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA.

He also holds an MBA in Corporate Governance & Finance from University of Hull, United Kingdom. He is currently undertaking a professional law degree.

Business achievements

In 2009, he established a consultancy firm to advice banks and other financial institutions on financial models and risk management.

Ideal Finance was subsequently established in 2010 offering money lending services and has grown to become a credible finance house.

Under his able leadership, Ideal Financial Holdings acquired a majority share ownership of Ezi Savings and loans in 2014 which saw it rebranded to FirsTrust Savings and loans, saving the jobs of over 200 Ghanaians, and also enhancing confidence in the financial sector.

Dr. Dzani through his foundation, Tsatse Foundation, has undertaken many social interventions and Corporate Social Responsibility activities including Educational scholarships for needy and brilliant students, support for Otumfuo Educational Foundation, support for strategic state institutions like Ghana Police Service, 37 Military hospital, sponsorship of corporate events and many more. The foundation regularly supports various orphanage homes across the country.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Rwanda’s Paul Kagame who was also re-elected a week ago congratulated President Kenyatta for a successful election and the trust Kenyans have placed on him.

“Congratulations my brother @UKenyatta for a successful election and the trust Kenyans have placed in you!,” he tweeted.

Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni said he hoped President Kenyatta would continue with the task of promoting unity and development in Kenya.

He said under his leadership, Kenya had continued to be a key regional, economic, peace and security partner.

“I therefore look forward to continue working with you to strengthen further the brotherly relations and cooperation between our two countries as well as other EAC partner states in our quest to develop our region,” Museveni, who is also the current chairperson of the East African Community, said.

President John Magufuli of the United Republic on Tanzania has also congratulated President Kenyatta on his re-election.

Magufuli wished Kenyatta success in his second term as president, in an early morning tweet Saturday.

“I congratulate you my brother Uhuru Kenyatta for being elected as president for a second term. I wish you success,” he tweeted.

Namibia’s Hage Geingob also tweeted a congratulatory message for President Kenyatta’s electoral success and his magnanimity in victory by putting Kenya first.

My brother, @UKenyatta, congratulations on your electoral success and your magnanimity in victory by putting #Kenya first.

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza tweeted; “On behalf of all Burundians, I congratulate President elect @UKenyatta and the people of Kenya. Looking forward to strengthen our relations.”

“Congratulations to my brother @UKenyatta on your re-election, Kenyans have spoken that they have confidence in your leadership and vision for the country. God bless East Africa,” tweeted Former Tanzania Prime Minister Edward Lowassa as he joined other regional leaders in congratulating the President-elect.

Council of Governors Chairman Josphat Nanok also sent a congratulatory message saying working together with the National Government will enable effective delivery of devolved services.

“We will endeavour to play our role as members of the inter-governmental body and work with the administration in the spirit of consultations and co-operation,” Nanok said.

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Source: Capitalfm

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According to him, although there are many challenges within the sector, it has the potential of transforming economies within the continent.

John Mahama said the majority of the youth currently in Agriculture in Africa considered it as an add-on to their mainstream jobs but said there are many benefits taking up agriculture fully as a source of employment.

While bemoaning the many bottlenecks within the sector, he said the government has a major role to play to ensure that such challenges are addressed to encourage much more people to work within the sector.

“I do think that investments are going into the agric sector but they must have a multiplier effect on the economy, and what we need to do is to continue creating an enabling environment for investments to come into the sector,” Mahama said.

Addressing a gathering at the 52nd Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in India, added that “Most people who bring foreign investors are looking at the oil and gas sector, they are looking into gold mining because those are areas where the profits are almost immediate once you put in the investment.”

John Mahama noted that although the various governments have resolved to help improve the sector in their respective countries, the results of their actions will be determined by factors that include the passion of the individual leader.

“There is an increasing commitment by African leaders towards expanding agricultural production and a lot of discussions have taken place in the African Union for a common agricultural development policy. But I believe that from country to country, it depends on the passion of a particular leader for agriculture,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citfimonline.com/Ghana

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