Sept 24 – 28, 2018 – Hon. Alphonso S. Kuiah, Jr., Assistant Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry participates in Investment Analysis, Capital Markets Operations & Regulation Training Course, from the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, Accra, Ghana.

The objective of the course is to expand participants to relevant knowledge and skills required for the smooth operation of a capital market in their various countries. The course is designed to strengthen functional approach to managing capital market operations, build capacity for managing financial market operations and also to enhance the regulatory skills of staff in the capital market.

The course was declared open by the Honorable Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Kwamina Yedu Addison, represented by Mrs. Grace Akrofi, Advisor on Research, Bank of Ghana. In his keynote address, the Governor noted that the course is very important and timely on account of its significant contribution towards financial system stability and economic development of any nation. The Governor stressed that the main engine of economic growth and development is the capital market. He further mentioned that the capital market is a platform that facilitates the creation of wealth, custodianship and exchange of financial assets and management of long term liabilities etc.

The Director General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Prof. Akpan H. Ekpo, highlighted WAIFEM’s role towards the capital market development through the organization of courses, etc. He further pointed out that the institute has extended its operations to the private sector by establishing the Business Development and Consultancy Unit (BD&CU). He added that in line with new innovation and technological advancements, WAIFEM has started e-learning programs in Public Sector Debt Management, Banking gap with the Francophone countries, which will also assist in deepening the regional integration process.

At the end of the training course, there were observations and recommendations made by the participants for improvement as it relates to trade facilitation in the sub-region and also participants expressed their profound appreciation to WAIFEM and facilitators for the successful organisation of the course and their respective governments for giving them the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and skills in Investment Analysis, Capital Markets Operations and Regulation.