Executive profile: Ken Ofori-Atta

In one of his first moves, Ghana’s new president Nana Akufo-Addo is likely to appoint banker Ken Ofori-Atta as finance minister. Sources close to the presidency told Reuters that Akufo-Addo will nominate Ofori-Atta to implement his financial plans (i.e. cutting taxes and strengthening the economy).

What do we know about Ghana’s potential finance minister? Here’s a brief profile:

• Ofori-Atta is 57
• He co-founded Africa-wide investment banking group Databank Group in 1990 and was its executive chairman until February 2012
• He is also a graduate of Yale and Columbia universities
• From there, Ofori-Atta worked with Wall Street investment bank Saloman Brothers and Morgan Stanley on debt and equity management
• He currently serves as the Chairman of Trust Bank Ltd., Family Ventures and Offices in Ghana and Databank Agrifund Manager Ltd.
• He also serves as a Director of Acumen Fund, Inc.
• Because of his contributions to the financial industry, Ofori-Atta has been nominated to be listed in the world’s top 50 financial managers for the 21st century. He is the only black man to be chosen for this accolade.
• He was twice honoured by PWC Ghana as one of the Top 5 Most Respected CEOs in Ghana. 
• Ofori-Atta was the first African to testify in the US Congress to support the Africa Growth & Opportunities Act (AGOA)

African Business Review’s January issue is now live.

Stay connected: follow @AfricaBizReview and @WedaeliABR on Twitter.

African Business Review is also on Facebook