The Group Chairman strikes a pose alongside the Faculty Members of the University of Ghana.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

The 74th Annual New Year School And Conference was here again this year and was observed with purpose. The Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia opened the four-day conference which started on Monday, 16th-19th January, 2023. The Group Chairman of M&C Group (Global), an Investment Holding Company was invited as a Guest Speaker for the programme which is organized by the School of Continuing and Distance Education of the College of Education of the University of Ghana, Legon. He spoke on the theme; ‘Positioning The African Market for Sustainable Economic Development Through AFCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)’, Mr. Bartlett-Vanderpuye featured in a panel discussion with some other guest speakers in the persons of the Chairman of Mc Dan Group, Mr. Daniel McKorley, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Herbert Krapa and the CEO of APN (AFCFTA Policy Network), Mr. Louis Afful. Mr. Bartlett-Vanderpuye mentioned some basic benefits of taking advantage of the AFCFTA. He believes that movement across Africa would be easier with the aid of the AFCFTA in the business sector.

The Group Chairman and the Vice President engaged in a handshake

He advised that AFCFTA should do more in their communication by using our local dialects to communicate with businessmen and women who haven’t had the advantage to education. In addition, he mentioned that Government should give more incentives to the private sector so as to enable them to employ the youth. Opening the 74th edition, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who represented President Nana Akufo-Addo, commended the University of Ghana for sustaining the New Year School, which he said, “has always been a source of national discourse and for transforming our nation.” Dr. Bawumia noted that the theme provides an important barometer for Ghana’s quest to boost economic development through regional trading. “While recent domestic and global economic challenges have negatively impacted our economy, it is important that we promote AfCFTA efforts of key stakeholders such as industry, the private sector, academia and government to reposition Ghana through trade,” he stressed. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced that all Senior High School students will be given free tablets this year loaded with test books of all course outlines and past questions.

Dr. Bawumia noted that the theme provides an important barometer for Ghana’s quest to boost economic development through regional trading. “While recent domestic and global economic challenges have negatively impacted our economy, it is important that we promote AfCFTA efforts of key stakeholders such as industry, the private sector, academia and government to reposition Ghana through trade,” he stressed. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced that all Senior High School students will be given free tablets this year loaded with test books of all course outlines and past questions. The Director of the 74th conference, Dr Simon-Peter Kafui Aheto, expressed the hope that AfCFTA would help contribute to the continent’s quest of advancing in trade and industry to build a robust African economy strong enough to contribute to the sustainable growth of member countries. This year’s Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) brought together Ministers of State, Captains of Industry, Business Tycoons, Academics and Labour Union Leaders to deliberate on issues of national interest as well as make recommendations that will shape policy and furthermore help to explore means to strengthen trade, industry and commerce, leveraging the AfCFTA agreement.

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