Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s Minister of Finance, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), marking a significant leadership transition at a time when the region is pursuing deeper economic collaboration and financial innovation.

The announcement was made during the Bank’s 23rd Ordinary Session, held on April 14, 2025, in Banjul, The Gambia.

Dr. Forson succeeds Seedy Keita, The Gambia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.

Welcoming the appointment, Dr. George Donkor, President and Chairman of EBID’s Board of Directors, praised Dr. Forson’s depth of knowledge and experience.

“He brings a strong foundation in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, and financial governance. His track record speaks for itself,” Donkor stated, expressing confidence in the new Chairman’s ability to steer the bank toward greater impact.

Ghana’s Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Ampem, who represented Dr. Forson at the meeting, assured stakeholders of the new Chairman’s resolve to deepen the bank’s developmental role.

“Dr. Forson is committed to driving strategic resource mobilisation, recovering capital, and onboarding new non-regional members. He understands the urgent need to scale the bank’s mission across the sub-region,” Ampem said.

Forson’s appointment is seen as a timely move, as EBID works to consolidate its standing as West Africa’s foremost development finance institution.

With over two decades of combined public and private sector experience, and a professional background as a chartered accountant and tax expert, Forson is expected to bring both precision and pragmatism to the role.

For more than forty years, EBID has operated as a central pillar of regional development, financing critical infrastructure, institutional and social projects across ECOWAS Member States.

The Bank has grown into a robust development finance institution, tackling socioeconomic challenges in some of the world’s most fragile economies while aiming to create wealth, reduce poverty, and generate employment across West Africa.

The leadership shift comes at a moment when Member States are actively seeking fresh capital, stronger partnerships, and sustainable growth models, areas where Forson is expected to make an immediate impact.