Piedmont Lithium Joins AmCham Ghana

The Chamber is pleased to announce Piedmont Lithium as our new Platinum Member. Piedmont is developing a world-class integrated lithium business in the United States, enabling the transition to a net-zero world and the creation of a clean energy economy in America.

Piedmont Lithium is on target to become the only integrated producer of lithium hydroxide from spodumene ore in the United States. With assets located in the mineral-rich, world-renowned Carolina Tin Spodumene belt in North Carolina, we’re just 25 miles west of the bustling city of Charlotte. This highly strategic location allows us to drive accessibility and affordability for American companies who are, in large part, currently tied to material resources in remote parts of the world that impact their entire business model.

Piedmont has developed a more stable and sustainable Lithium production solution designed to provide a significantly smaller footprint. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the land, our planet, our environment, and our community. Doing our work in the most sustainable way possible is our number one priority because we understand what we produce is directly related to positively impacting the sustainability of our planet by helping to reduce global carbon emissions for future generations.

In July this year, Piedmont entered into a conditional binding agreement with IronRidge Resources to fully fund and fast track the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, part of IronRidge’s Ghanaian Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio (CCLP), to production.

This conditional agreement represents a unique opportunity to fast-track the development of its industry-leading asset and fund its pathway to production, all whilst providing the opportunity for Ghana to become the first lithium producer in Western Africa. Learn More

2021 AmCham Ghana Thanksgiving Dinner And Awards Night

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, on Saturday, November 20, 2021, hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, corporate executives, and chamber members for this year’s #Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards night. The event was held under the theme, Celebrating U.S. – Ghana Partnership; Unlocking New Opportunity for Growth. 

The #AmChamGhanaThanksgiving dinner is held annually to honor and appreciate individuals and companies that have contributed in various to support chamber activities and aid in its development.

Our Guest of Honor, Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan, was celebrated for her leadership and contributions to strengthening cultural and commercial relations between the United States and Ghana. ”This year’s celebration is particularly meaningful for me, as I expect it to be my last in Ghana as U.S. Ambassador, a position I am truly grateful and honored to hold,” the Ambassador noted in her remarks.

”This evening, I reflect on the many challenges and hardships we have endured since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Few families have been spared the pain of loss over the last, nearly two years. It’s at Thanksgiving that we gather to remember the blessings we have, even as we mourn the loss of so many. None of us could have anticipated the unprecedented effects this pandemic has had on our day-to-day lives, not to mention those felt by companies and workers around the world, as they struggled to survive and adapt to ever-changing business conditions. I am truly proud of how the United States has worked closely with Ghana since the start of the pandemic, contributing more than $30 million dollars to support Ghana’s COVID-19 response across a range of sectors,” She added. Read the full speech here.

The chamber also used the occasion to award former AmCham Ghana President, Joe Mensah, Kimathi Kuenyehia, Managing Partner of Kimathi & Partners, Franklin Asare, CEO of Techgulf, and Kosmos Energy Ghana HC, for their dedication and immense contribution to the development of the chamber.

Companies and individuals that supported various chamber events throughout the year were presented with certificates of appreciation for their contributions.

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner was sponsored by Kosmos Energy Ghana HC, PwC Ghana, Cummins Ghana, Newmont Ghana, Masco Foods (KFC Ghana), Emergent Payments, Cargill Ghana, Delta Airlines, and Coca-cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited.

Remarks By Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan AmCham Thanksgiving and Awards Event

Honorable Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong;

AMCHAM President Ayesha Bedwei Ibe;

Distinguished Guests;

Friends, Ladies, and Gentlemen;

All protocols observed:

 

Good evening everyone! It’s good to see all of you again. I’m so pleased to be here this evening to celebrate Thanksgiving, my favorite American holiday, together. Thanks for your kind words. My wonderful Economic and Commercial team deserves all the accolades.

This year’s celebration is particularly meaningful for me, as I expect it to be my last in Ghana as U.S. Ambassador, a position I am truly grateful and honored to hold. Before the handkerchiefs come out, though, let me add that I do not yet have a departure date.

This evening, I reflect on the many challenges and hardships we have endured since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Few families have been spared the pain of loss over the last, nearly two years.  It’s at Thanksgiving that we gather to remember the blessings we have, even as we mourn the loss of so many.  None of us could have anticipated the unprecedented effects this pandemic has had on our day-to-day lives, not to mention those felt by companies and workers around the world, as they struggled to survive and adapt to ever-changing business conditions.

I am truly proud of how the United States has worked closely with Ghana since the start of the pandemic, contributing more than $30 million dollars to support Ghana’s COVID-19 response across a range of sectors.

From over 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccines (with more arriving Monday!), to oxygen and respiratory care equipment along with training, to long-term health infrastructure investment and coordinated public health messaging, we continue to address the immediate and medium-term effects of COVID-19 on the health, agriculture, and education sectors, including the hard-hit private sector in Ghana.

The contributions of the fantastic membership of the AmCham throughout the pandemic have also made us proud of you, as exemplary of American corporate citizens.

So, as we gather this year to give thanks, I am mindful of the many blessings in our lives each day, both big and small, the challenges as well as the triumphs, and that at the heart of this holiday stands the spirit of togetherness.

The idea of togetherness reminds me of one of my favorite African sayings:  “The path to a friend’s home is never far.” And these days, the path can even be via zoom! The AmCham and American companies operating in Ghana are the embodiment of this togetherness and mutual support.

As I hope you know, promoting trade and investment is a strategic focus of the U.S. Mission to Ghana and has been at the top of my priorities as Ambassador.

Since my arrival in Ghana at the end of 2018, I have been honored to work with AmCham to grow the commercial relationship between our nations.

You, the members of AmCham, have been essential in this effort. American businesses and investors have long been at the forefront of deepening ties between our two countries.

And we see the benefits for Ghanaian companies and workers, too. We greatly appreciate the leadership of our American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana in advancing this partnership.

I remember during the visit of then-President Bill Clinton in March 1998, during my earlier assignment in Ghana – yes, I’m that old! – first hearing of Ghana as the “Gateway to Africa.” Some of you in this room remember that electrifying visit as well and have also seen our bilateral economic relationship grow and mature since then.  And now, with the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area-based right here in Accra, I believe that Ghana is truly poised to capitalize on the new economic synergies and opportunities for growth the AfCFTA can bring to the continent.

The AfCFTA’s focus on supporting women and youth, in particular, will surely lead to exciting new opportunities for women entrepreneurs and businesswomen.

I look forward to seeing how they take full advantage of all that this free trade area of 55 countries, with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion US Dollars, has to offer, including as partners for U.S. companies seeking to enter the African marketplace.

When we look back on AmCham’s activities since we last gathered in person, and the difficult road we’ve traveled together, there are a lot of reasons to give thanks. While our activities and our resourcefulness were challenged by the pandemic, they were not constrained.

Despite the obstacles, we found ways to partner with you to keep up momentum in the business relationship. For example, together with AmCham, we hosted a virtual franchise trade mission that introduced new American brands to the market.

Last year, AmCham collaborated with USAID and the West Africa Trade & Investment Hub to host a webinar on co-investment opportunities and how companies can take advantage of and export to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which remains in force into 2025.  In April, AmCham leadership held a virtual roundtable with Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Middle East and Africa Camille Richardson to discuss how U.S. businesses are faring during the COVID pandemic and hear about their post-pandemic recovery plans.

Working with AmCham’s Digital Committee, we engaged the head of tax policy at the Ministry of Finance in June to discuss the Government of Ghana’s rollout of taxes on the digital economy.

And more recently, we partnered with AmCham to host a very successful U.S.-Ghana Business Forum that reached hundreds of industry stakeholders from both countries.

We also welcomed several new members to AmCham.  Companies like Abbott Laboratories, Baker Hughes, Orkin, Piedmont Lithium, and Trimble Navigation have joined the fold, adding to the growing family of companies that are changing the landscape of Ghana’s industry footprint.  Make no mistake, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana is deeply important to overall U.S.-Ghana relations.

Ghana is blessed to have such a dynamic, diverse, and active AmCham. It is no accident, but rather a tribute to the incredible dedication of so many of you in this room. I have sincerely enjoyed every opportunity to engage with AmCham over the years.  Together we have overcome challenges to strengthen and grow the US-Ghana commercial relationship.  So, let us take pride in our many accomplishments as we look to the future in Ghana – one that continues to hold immense opportunity and promise.

In closing, allow me to congratulate in advance tonight’s honorees and award recipients. I wish you all an enjoyable evening and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for all you do and for your kind attention.

AmCham Health Forum On Prostate Cancer Management in Ghana

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana (AmCham) on 2nd November, 2021 organized a health forum on prostate cancer management in Ghana. The forum which was on the theme “Prostate Cancer Treatment in Ghana – Status Quo and the Way Forward” attracted both private and public sector stakeholders in Ghana’s health industry.

The event featured remarks from Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu and Dr. Joel Yarney, the Head of the Medical Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, on the policy direction towards prostate cancer treatment and funding in Ghana, and prostate cancer care in the country from the medical practice perspective, respectively.

The forum also involved a panel discussion on providing and sustaining prostate cancer care in Ghana. The forum brought to light the challenges affecting men’s access to improved healthcare with regards to prostate cancer; the roles of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and industry in promoting prostate cancer care. Also, important recommendations were made by the panelists and various experts on ways to finance and improve prostate cancer treatment in order to make it more affordable.

The forum was opened by Mr. Simon Madjie, Executive Secretary of AmCham, who welcomed participants and provided the context for the forum. He then introduced the distinguished personalities and called on Ayesha Bedwei, President of AmCham to give the opening remarks for the event.

Ayesha Bedwei, President, AmCham in her brief remarks acknowledged the participants and invited guests at the forum. She underscored the importance of men’s health and indicated that the health forum seeks to educate, create awareness, stimulate discussions and provide directions on the way forward as well as close the gap with regards to men’s access to prostate cancer care.

Henry Osei- Agyekum, Country Manager, Johnson & Johnson Mr. Osei-Agyekum in his remarks highlighted the severity of prostate cancer stating that with an estimated 1.4 million new cases and 375,000 deaths worldwide annually, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among men. In Ghana, however, he noted that it was the leading cause of cancer deaths among men. He emphasized the important role of Johnson & Johnson in improving the health of people by developing innovative medicines, devices and other solutions. According to him, one of the priorities of Johnson & Johnson is to enable access to everyone everywhere at the same time.

To this end, in Ghana, the company is currently operating in the oncology therapy area to advance healthy outcomes by ensuring healthcare professionals and patients have access to the information, programs and support they need to achieve the best results possible.

He added that Johnson & Johnson’s initiatives in Ghana on improving the patient’s journey include disease awareness campaigns; patient navigation and patient support programs; and supporting policies and projects on prostate cancer and other relevant disease areas.

He again emphasized Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to helping patients and noted that a strong collaboration among the various stakeholders -business, academia, society and government- will help provide adequate interventions that will help promote positive health outcomes

Dr. Baffour Awuah delivered remarks on the Policy Direction Towards Prostate Cancer Treatment and Funding in Ghana on behalf of Honorable Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Minister of Health, Ghana.

Dr. Awuah in his remarks commended AmCham for bringing the subject of prostate cancer management for public discussion. He noted that globally, cancer constitutes a major public health burden, remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality with incidence projected to rise in the coming decade.

He stated that nearly two-thirds of these new cases are anticipated to be recorded in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Ghana, where infectious diseases remain a major public health challenge. According to him, more than 70% of cancer patients in Low-Income Countries are expected to die from the disease compared to about 30% in Western countries.

He added that prostate cancer is rated the second most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths among men globally, with over 1.1 million cases and 300,000 deaths estimated in 2012. With reference to data from the Kumasi Cancer Registry covering the Kumasi Metropolitan Area, he stated that the total number of cancer cases recorded from 2012 to 2017 was 3,773 comprising 1,280 males and 2,493 females. Out of this, he indicated that the number of prostate cancer cases was 218, with their age ranging from 27-99 years. Thus, 6% of all the recorded cancers and 17% are all male cancers.

He highlighted age as one of the major risk factors for prostate cancer and mentioned challenges that affect the effective and efficient management of prostate cancer in Ghana: low level of awareness, lack of formalize screening, weak health promotion programs, late presentation of patients to health facilities, poor access to care, high cost and unavailability of appropriate medications, lack of adequate follow-up, and inherent social norms and beliefs.

According to him men diagnosed with prostate cancer face a unique set of emotional issues. First is the overwhelming diagnosis of cancer and second, the stigma associated with prostate cancer often prevents men from seeking early medical attention. Besides, the available treatment options for prostate cancer are not readily available to many individuals due to poor access to care and the challenge of cost treatment.

He again emphasized the importance of the forum and highlighted two important initiatives by the Ministry of Health (MoH). First, he revealed that the Non-Communicable Disease Policy which takes cancers into consideration has been reviewed and is ready for implementation by the MoH. Second, he stated that the Universal Health Coverage Road Map developed by the MoH- with the aim of providing all people living in Ghana with timely access to high quality health care irrespective of one’s ability to pay at the point of use- is also ready for implementation.

With the implementation of these two policies at hand, he stated that the forum was very essential and that the MoH will welcome recommendations from the event especially in the areas of access to care and funding for prostate cancer.

He concluded by thanking the various stakeholders for their collaboration to improve the management of prostate cancer in men in the country.

Dr. Joel Yarney, Head of the Medical Center for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, KBTH, remarked on Prostate Cancer care in Ghana: The Medical Practice Perspective.

Dr. Joel Yarney made an extensive presentation on prostate cancer care in Ghana. He mentioned the signs and symptoms of Benign Prostrate Hypertrophy (BPH) and highlighted the top 10 causes of death in Ghana: malaria, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, ischemic heart disease, stroke, HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, road injuries and diabetes. He also pointed out the leading causes of death globally as stated by the Human Development Index (HDI).

With regards to incidence, mortality and prevalence by cancer in Ghana, he noted that prostate cancer ranked 4th, next to cancers of the breast, liver and cervix. He however bemoaned the low quality of data on cancer incidence in developing countries including Ghana and noted that predicted cancer cases are high in developing countries compared to more developed countries.

He also highlighted the life expectancy at birth by gender in Ghana as well as the age standardized incidence and mortality rates of the top 10 cancers in the world. He further explained that the probability of developing prostate cancer among those within the age groups of 50 to 59 was 1 out of every 57 persons; 60 to 69 was 1 out of every 21 persons and 70 to 79 was 1 out of every 12 persons. He noted that the probability of developing prostate cancer from birth to death was 1 in every 9 persons whiles from birth to the age of 49 the probability of developing prostate cancer stood at 1 out of every 441 persons.

According to him the challenges of addressing prostate cancer were late presentation by patients, distribution of treatment and investigative tools, drug availability, cost of treatment, referral patterns and level of care, complementary and alternative medicine use and policy gap, diagnosis (pathology service), and distribution and number of specialists for specialized techniques. He then emphasized the need for policy direction on the use of alternative medicines.

He added that the causes of delay in cancer diagnosis and treatment include poor cancer awareness, poor performance, referral issues, waiting lists, and sub-optimal resources as well as financial, logistical and psychological barriers.

He further explained the prostate screening recommendations, assessment and treatment of prostate cancer; the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment modalities; prostate cancer natural history; complementary and alternative medicines; quality assurance in oncology; and the National Guideline for Cancer Management.

He indicated that although relevant stakeholders have ensured a drastic reduction in the price of prostate cancer drugs, they were still costly and unaffordable to the majority of prostate cancer patients. He also revealed that prostate cancer could be treated in the country but there are currently only three treatment centers: two in Accra and one in Kumasi. He also noted that although the MoH has developed the National Guide for Cancer Management, it is not available to health professionals.

The panel was moderated by Kwabena Asante Offei, Senior Manager, Government Affairs & Policy, East Africa at Johnson & Johnson. The panelists comprised Professor J. E. Mensah, Urologist, KBTH; Mr. Ikechukwu Ofuani, Director, World Government Affairs and Policy, West Africa; Dr. Adwoa Twum Barima, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA); Dr. Eric Boateng, MoH; Gloria Yankson, Project Director Cancer Connect GH; Henry Osei- Agyekum, Country Manager, Johnson & Johnson.

The panel explored challenges affecting patients access to prostate cancer care; and the role of industry and the NHIA in promoting access to prostate cancer treatment. The panel also made recommendations to improving healthcare financing with regards to prostate cancer as well as on ways of improving access to healthcare.

Keys issues from panel discussions includes challenges affecting patients access to prostate cancer treatment.

A number of factors affect patients’ ability to access treatment for prostate cancer. They include:

Financial Barriers: The high cost of prostate cancer treatment is one of the major challenges affecting patients access to treatment. Currently, the cost of prostate cancer drugs in Ghana have been reduced from GHS 12,000 to GHS 3,500. However, this remains unaffordable to many people due to poverty and especially as patients are required to purchase the drug every month.

Inadequate Equipment: The equipment required to effectively and efficiently treat prostate cancer (including other cancers) are very expensive and unaffordable by many health centers across the country and this in turn increases the cost of cancer treatment at the few treatment centers in the country.

Fragmented Services: Another barrier affecting patients access to healthcare is the lack of a single location where patients can receive most, if not all, of their medical care. Often patients are required to go to different places for different treatments and this could be costly and challenging.

Social and Psychological Pressures: Men generally take up the responsibility of providing for their families (in some cases including their extended families) and as such tend to suppress their health needs in order to appear responsible. Also, culturally, men are not supposed to express emotional weakness and therefore do not share their
innermost challenges including health related issues which tend to have a negative impact on them in the long run.

Post-Retirement Challenges: Usually, men attract prostate cancer when they are old and almost due for retirement from active work. As a result, they have very limited financial resources to seek quality healthcare especially post-retirement.

Industry players have contributed to advancing prostate cancer care in Ghana by reducing the cost of drugs, providing quality medication, ensuring affordable pricing, providing psycho-social support to patients, embarking on advocacy through partnerships to create awareness and providing health education.

Role of NHIA and the MoH in promoting treatment of cancers

NHIA Coverage of cancers: The NHIA covers about 95% of the country’s disease burden with the majority being Non-Communicable Diseases. The NHIA keeps expanding it disease coverage and over the years, the scheme has included cervical and breast cancers. Currently, there are a lot of pressure from several advocacy groups to ensure
that different diseases are covered under the NHIA. In deciding which diseases to cover, the NHIA takes into consideration a number of factors including the long-term cost, NHIS cashflow, sustainability, and economic valuation (cost-benefit analysis) among others.

The NHIS seeks to systematically expand its coverage of cancers, but ultimately, it seeks to ensure that every intervention is sustainable. Also, with the development of the Noncommunicable Disease Policy by the MoH, the NHIS will align with the various directives enshrined in the policy as it relates to prostate cancer.

Coverage of Supportive Investigative Treatments: The NHIS currently covers some supportive investigative treatments in prostate cancer such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Ultrasound, Computed tomography (CT) Scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) among others. The challenge however is that many service providers are not aware of these provisions under the NHIS.

Competition for Resources: There is competition for funding and resources by various diseases. The government, however, prioritizes diseases that tend to affect wider population groups (such as malaria) and can be addressed with limited funds rather than spending relatively more funds and resources on diseases that affect small population group (such as cancers).

Recommendations

The panelists and the various stakeholders made the following important recommendations on ways to finance and improve prostate cancer treatment in order to make it more affordable.

Private Health Insurance: Access to prostate cancer treatment can be enhanced through private health insurance. Where people have access to private health insurance (through their employers), they frequently seek treatment for all kinds of illness but where they are not covered by health insurance, they are often reluctant to seek medical treatment due to the high costs involved.

Policy Change/Free HealthCare: There is the need for a change in policy to ensure that men receive medical support especially with regard to prostate cancer. A free healthcare policy in Ghana will ensure increased access to quality healthcare because it will eliminate the financial barriers that people experience when trying to access health services.

However, sufficient financial resources are needed for the government to finance such an initiative to ensure that it remains sustainable.

Quality Data on Prostate Cancer: There is the need to generate quality data on the prevalence and effects of prostate cancer in Ghana. This is because although prostate cancer has the tendency to affect every male, the current level of data on the disease is low. An improved statistics is required to drive a change in policy in the way the disease
is managed in the country.

Specialized Health Insurance for Cancer: The government should establish a special cancer fund where men in their active years of work can contribute towards it in order to accumulate enough funds to cater for cancer treatments. This could be achieved through strong advocacy and public sensitization.

Government Support: Government support in terms of procuring and supplying the highend equipment to the relevant health centers could ensure that treatment of prostate cancer is affordable to the general public.

Review of the NHIS: There is the need for stakeholders to review the NHIS to ascertain the aspects of cancer treatments that are covered under the scheme. This will help to ensure that such treatments are fully operational.

Specific Training For Service Providers: The NHIS provides general training to service providers and other stakeholders periodically. However, the NHIS should provide more specific training to service providers to enable them provide improved services to their clients.

Dr. Kumah-Aboagye, , Director-General, Ghana Health Service, in closing the forum highlighted the key points from the presentation and panel discussion. He also stressed the need for innovative health financing as well as the importance of investing in the health sector.

Webster University IR Masterclass – African Continental Free Trade: Implementation Challenges and the Prospects for African Development

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With the world being a global village, trade is an important economic factor for the development of many economies. Trading dates back to centuries where an early form of trade- barter saw the direct exchange of goods and services for other goods and services. As time evolved and globalization emerged, trade changed, becoming broader and more complex. The formation of trade blocs, such as the European Union (EU) and the Pacific Alliance, paved the way for policies such as free trade, constituting bilateral and multilateral trade, which greatly expanded market access and spurred economic growth.

According to the African Development Bank, in 2014 only 16% of international trade took place between African countries. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) also reports that Intra-African exports were 16.6% of total exports in 2017, compared with 68.1% in Europe, 59.4% in Asia, 55.0% in America and 7.0% in Oceania.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is widely seen as a crucial driver for economic growth, industrialization, and sustainable development in Africa. The agreement seeks to create a single African market of more than a billion consumers with a combined GDP of U$2.5 trillion. Through its various protocols, the AfCFTA Agreement addresses trade in goods (tariff liberalization schedules, non-tariff barriers, rules of origin), trade in services, competition, investment, and intellectual property. It is expected to boost intra-African agricultural trade, currently estimated to be less than 20 percent of total agricultural trade.

Despite its prospects, there continue to be implementation challenges that could thwart the efforts of the agreement.

Delta Air Lines Trade And Corporate Seminar

Delta Air Lines partnered with Air France and KLM to organize a 2-day Seminar dubbed “Back in the Skies with AFKLDL” from November 3 – 4, 2021. The seminar aimed to educate participants on the new travel requirements as the U.S. reopens to fully vaccinated foreign travelers on November 8 and also recap the ticketing policies and innovative tools the two airlines have introduced to ensure that their customers can book with confidence and travel with flexibility.

Day one of the seminar was dedicated to Trade Partners – Travel agents attended the event and were very pleased to have representatives from the visa section of the American and French Embassies make presentations on new travel policies and requirements. The second day was an interactive session with corporates. Representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, and the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council were present to speak to participants about their relationships with the airlines and the benefits businesses get from being Chamber members.

The Joint Venture between Air France KLM and Delta Air Lines in the Ghana market has put the airlines in a good position to serve travelers what they truly desire: more choices, more frequencies, more convenient flight schedules, and superior customer service.

Virtual Meeting on Business and Cybersecurity: Emerging Cyber Threats

Many people think that cyber security refers to the software and monitoring that protect their email, operating system, network, and printing devices from malicious attack or data theft. Admittedly, this is a large and important part of cyber security for businesses. But management and employees also play a significant role in making sure your company is protected.

In this month of cybersecurity awareness, AmCham Ghana, on October 27, 2021, collaborates with one of the leading business advisory firms KPMG for a virtual meeting on Emerging Cyber Threats in the business environment. Speakers at this event were the Associate Director for the IT Advisory unit of KPMG,  Samuel Aluko, and Information Protection and Business Resilience Manager, Chris Owusu-Ansah.

According to the KPMG Cyber Security Catalogue, cyber risk is an everyday business consideration in the way that threats in the real world have always been.

Discussions focused on the cyber threat landscape, cyber resilience, key cyber considerations for business, and regulatory requirements and standards.

The event also featured a cyber game that shared light on cyber risks and what management can do to address these risks.

Kindly watch the full meeting below for an insight into everyday cyber threats that businesses are exposed to and what can be done to avoid or mitigate its impact.

Business and Cybersecurity: Emerging Cyber Threats

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Cyber security has long been one of the most challenging issues for businesses, and in this month of cybersecurity awareness, AmCham Ghana collaborates with one of the leading business advisory firms KPMG for this important virtual meeting on Emerging Cyber Threats in the business environment.

This event will host experts from KPMG to provide insight into new threats, precautions, and measures businesses can implement to prevent cyber attacks. It will provide critical first steps after a breach and share cyber resiliency toolkits to help your firm properly safeguard its data.

Speakers scheduled for the event include Sam Aluko, Associate Director, IT Advisory, and Chris Owusu-Ansah, Manager, IT Advisory.

 

ABOUT SPEAKERS

Samuel Aluko

Sam is an Associate Director in the IT Advisory unit of KPMG and has over 20 years of experience. He is responsible for the IT Advisory Team whose services include Cyber Security, Digital Transformation, Systems Implementations, IT Project Quality Assurance, Data Conversion reviews, ERP Advisory services, Vulnerability Assessment, and Penetration Testing Service, amongst others in the KPMG Ghana office.

Over the years, he has developed expertise in Cyber Security Risk, Business Continuity Management, Security Architecture Design and Implementation, Cyber Security Strategy, Cyber Maturity Assessments, including Cloud Security and Security Standards Implementation. Sam has provided services to our clients in various industries and has provided advice and training on IT and Cyber Security to the Board and Management of many organisations in Ghana. Before joining KPMG, Sam worked at Zenith Bank Plc, where he was involved in various digital banking implementations and cyber security reviews.

Email: samuelaluko@kpmg.com

 

Chris Owusu-Ansah

Chris is an Information Protection and Business Resilience Manager in the IT Advisory unit of KPMG in Ghana and has over eight (8) years of experience in various industries. He is responsible for the provision of Information and Cyber Security, Data Protection, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Incident Management, Crisis Management, Strategy and Governance, Transformation, Cloud Compliance & Security, Cyber Defence and Cyber Response services.

He is skilled in the conduct of Cyber Maturity Assessments (CMA), Compliance Assessment (standards and framework assessment, such as ISO/IEC 27001/2, ISO 22301), Cybersecurity/Digital/Technology Strategy, Information Governance and Privacy, Third-party Security Risk Assessment, Incident Response Readiness and Planning, Patch and Vulnerability Management, Application Security, Security Operations and Monitoring, amongst others.

Email: cowusu-ansah@kpmg.com