GCNet - Information On Shareholders, Stakeholders In Ghana

Shareholder

Customs Excise & Preventive Service

Service

Established under the provisions of PNDC Law 144, CEPS is the national agency charged with the responsibility of collecting Import Duties, Import VAT, Export Duty, Petroleum Tax and other taxes that may be determined from time to time by Government.

Mission Statement:

The collection and accounting of Customs, Excise and other assigned tax revenues at a minimum cost, while facilitating trade and investment and the movement of people across the borders of Ghana through efficient and transparent service delivery.

Services:

CEPS has embarked upon a programme of modernising its operations to facilitate trade and movement of people in and out of the country. Among measures taken in this regard are the adoption of the WTO Valuation Code, the automation of customs clearances and payments (the "Ghana Customs Management System"), and the pursuit of an ISO certification program. CEPS has publications that regularly apprise stakeholders about CEPS operations and any changes in the duty and tax rates as well as penalties associated with misdeclarations. Up to date information on this is available at the CEPS website.

Contact:
Customs Excise and Preventive Service
P. O. Box 68
Accra
Ghana
Tel: (+233-21) 668319
Fax: (+233-21) 666841
Email: prceps@ceps.gov.gh
Website: www.ghanacustoms.gov.gh

Shareholder

Ecobank Ghana Limited

Incorporation

Ecobank Ghana Limited (EBG) was incorporated in 1989 and started operations in Ghana in 1990 as a privately owned merchant bank. While Ecobank TransInternational (ETI) holds roughly 93.7% of EBG shares, the remainder is held by Ghanaian investors including Ghana Reinsurance Company Limited and Unilever Ghana Limited.

Mission

The mission of Ecobank is to create a unique African institution characterised by a determined focus on customers, employees and shareholders with absolute commitment to excellence in the financial services business.
Ecobank Ghana aims at contributing to the financial, economical and social development of Ghana and West Africa by the provision of a full range of banking services and products to individuals, companies, institutions and Governments in West Africa and the promotion of trade and investment in Ghana and sub-region.

Current Status of the Bank
Ecobank Ghana has over 25 branches and customer service points in Ghana and a head count of 268. In 2005 profit after tax was 119 billion Cedis and deposits stood at over 2.5 trilliion Cedis. EBG has 5 branches in Accra as well as state of the art braches in Kumasi, Takoradi, Tema and Tarkwa and has three wholly owned subsidiaries namely EBG Investment Managers Limited, Ecobank Stockbrokers Limited and Ecobank Leasing Company Limited through which some of its activities are carried out. These include:
· International trade financing, particularly within the ECOWAS sub-region, treasury services and deposit management;
·Foreign exchange dealing and management of foreign currency accounts;
·Investment management services;
·Commercial and project lending to well-managed companies and government organisation;
·Support of Ghana’s privatisations and export promotion efforts;
·Capital market activities such as private placements, securities issues, mergers and acquisitions and loan syndications;
·Corporate advisory services, cash management and stockbroking.

Ecobank Achievements

· Pioneered online banking services in the country with the introduction of “Econet” a service that enables clients access their account information and effect banking system with one stop collection, investment and management transactions from the comfort of their offices using a personal computer and modem.
· Was the first to introduce cash management services in the country.
· Was the first bank to offer payment of utility bills services facilities to its clients
· Is the leading bank in Trade Finance across West Africa due to its regional Network. Products developed by the group to facilitate the trade include:
Rapid Transfer: which ensures that transfers from one affiliate to another are received in twenty-four hours.
Ecotrade: used to finance intra sub-regional transactions under open account, bills for collection or deferred letters of credit.
Ecocheques: introduced to reduce the level of cash transactions in West African trade.

Contact:

No.19, Seventh Avenue,RidgeWest P.O. BOX 16746 Accra North,

Accra,

Ghana.

Tel.: (+233-21) 231 931 / 231 932 / 228 812 / 221 103

Fax: (+233-21) 231 934 / 232 086 / 231 934

Email: ecobankgh@ecobank.com Website: www.ecobank.com

Shareholder

Ghana Commercial Bank

Mission:

GCB set itself the mission of being the established leader in commercial banking in Ghana, offering a full range of high quality products and services through the optimization of information technology. These services include different retail banking products, financing of oil bills, cocoa purchases, support for small and medium scale enterprises as well as big corporate entities.

Listing on Ghana Stock Exchange

From a wholly-owned Government bank, GCB went public in 1996, with the acquisition of 53.2% of GCB shares by the public. The GCB share price has moved from its opening share price of ¢500.00 in 1996 to ¢6780 in April 2007

Profits and Awards:

GCB enjoyed a profit level of ¢296.9 billion in 2001, the highest in the industry. In April 2007 Ghana Commercial Bank Ltd. was adjudged the Best Bank in Ghana by New York - Global Finance Magazine.

Contact:
P. O. Box 134
Accra
Ghana
Tel: (+233-21) 664914/7
Fax: (+233-21) 673496
Email: prelations@gcb.com.gh
Website: www.gcb.com.gh

Shareholder

SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance

Founded in 1878, the SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in verification, testing and certification services, operating a network of almost 840 offices and subsidiaries and over 320 laboratories around the world.

SGS' services include Agricultural Inspection, Oil, Gas & Chemicals Quantity and Quality Control. Assisting clients concerned with value chains (minerals). Consumer care assesment on a global basis for food products, most non-food goods, and related services. SGS covers quality verification for Industrial & Emerging businesses.

Automotive construction, design, and motor vehicle inspection programs.
Trade Assurance, Systems & Services Certification which embraces management systems.
Auditing competencies and related training.
Environment assesment.
Non-destructive Testing for structural faults.
Project resourcing in all fields.
Logistical support.
SGSonSITE.
Life sciences activities which cover a full spectrum of contract drug development services and contract research organisation.

Contact:
SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance S.A.
1 Place des Alpes
P. O. Box 2152
1203 Geneva
Switzerland.

Tel: (+41-22) 739 9111
Fax: (+41-22) 739 9886
Email: enquiries@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com

Shareholder

Ghana Shippers' Council (GSC)

Established in March 1974, it works closely with other sectors of the industry in protecting and promoting the interest of Ghanaian shippers, ensuring the provision of relevant logistics in Ghana. The Council operates under the ministerial responsibility of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.
GSC's services include: freight and port charges negotiations/monitoriing, ensuring availability of shipping space, management of maritime databank and the provision of indemnity for shippers.

GSC's mission is to effectively manage Ghana's commercial shipping with a view to protecting and promoting the interest of shippers in relation to port, ship, inland transportation problems and the provision of ancillary shipping services.

Contact:
Enterprise House, High Street
P. O. Box 1321
Accra
Ghana
Tel: (+233-21) 666915/7
Fax: (+233-21) 668768
Email: info@ghanashipperscouncil.org
Website: www.ghanashipperscouncil.org

Stakeholder

Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The Chamber serves and promotes business interests in Manufacturing, General Trade, Textiles and Garments, Professional Services, Banking, Insurance, Agriculture, Building and Civil Engineering, Travel and Tourism, and Motor and Transport, Shipping and Information Technology.

The Chamber primarily performs the following functions;

Advocacy
Plays an advocacy role, reviewing policy decisions relating to taxation, employment, investment incentives and other issues and making representations to the Government to improve the business environment.

Provides a range of information services to the business community: general business enquiry services, market information on goods and services, business reference library, etc.

Conducts regular executive and business training programmes and consultancy service to meet specific needs within the business community.

Export Development

Provides assistance to member firms entering foreign markets, through training and advisory service on export documentation, market intelligence, etc.

Operates a well-equipped Business Centre, which provides Telephone, Fax, Photo-Copy, E-mail, Secretarial and Translation (English, French, German, Russian and Spanish) services.

Coordinates and facilitates the participation of local businesses in international trade fairs and exhibitions.

Hosts foreign business missions, and conversely organises trade and investment missions for Ghanaian businesses abroad.

CONTACT
The Chief Executive,
P. O. Box 2325,
Accra, Ghana
Tel. 233-21-662427
Fax. 233-21-662210
Email:gncci@ncs.com.gh

VISION Creating an enabling environment for shipping lines in the maritime industry

OBJECTIVES Providing a central organization for members who are companies and corporations engaged in shipping business

Facilitaing the exchange and dissemination of information and views on Customs, Shipping Transport and Cargo Handling procedures and practices

SERVICES Promoting work ethics within the maritime industry and establishment of best practices
Sensitization of all key players on pertinent issues in the maritime industry for the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies and measures
Assisting with the promotion of Ghanaian ports as regional hubs

THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
SHIPOWNERS & ASSOCIATION OF GHANA
P. O. BOX 1928
TEMA, GHANA
Tel: (+233-22) 204119
Fax: (+233-22) 204119
Email: soaag@africaonline.com.gh

The Ghana Free Zones Board, Established under the Free Zone Act 1995 promotes, facilitates, monitors and regulates investments under the free zone scheme. The free zones programme provides opportunities to use Ghana as a focal point to produce goods and services mainly for export within free zone enclaves or single factory zones in Ghana.

GIFF started in 1978, as an association of Customs house agents, but adopted the new name GIFF IN 1990 to reflect the range of services its members provide.
It has five branches located in Tema, KIA, Takoradi, Aflao and Elubo with a total membership of 180 corporate bodies.

GIFF is affiliated to British Freight Forwarders Association (BIFA) and International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA). It also has a code of professional ethics and tariff schedule for services provided by members.

CONTACTS:
THE PRESIDENT
LOCATION: HOUSE OF FAME BUILDING, ON THE MERIDIAN ROAD, COMM 1, TEMA
POSTAL ADDRESS: P.O.BOX CO1960, TEMA
Tel:   (+233-22) 206581, 200266, 204500
Fax:  (+233-22) 200267
EMAIL:  giff@ghanfreightforwarders.com
WEBSITE:  www.ghanafreightforwarders.com

The Association of Ghana Industries was established in 1957 at the instance of a group of Ghanaian indigenous business men and women

To carry out proactive support services for the industrial sector with the view to contributing substantially to the growth and development in Ghana.

Membership is open to all companies registered in Ghana that are engaged in one form or another of industry activity.

CONTACTS:
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tel: (+233-21) 762868
LOCATION:
Association of Ghana Industries
P.O.BOX AN 8624,
Accra North
TEL: (+233-21) 779023 / 24
FAX: (+233-21) 773143
EMAIL: agi@agi.org.gh.com
WEBSITE: www.agighana.org

GSB is the national statutory body responsible for Standardization and Quality Assurance of Goods and Services for both local market and exports. GSB functions include the following:

Contact:
P.O. Box M245
Accra
Tel: (+233-21) 500065/500066
Fax: (+233-21) 776092

GEPC is the public agency under the Ministry of Trade (MOTI), tasked with promoting Ghana’s non-traditional products in international markets. GEPC also provides private and development and government agencies with a range of market information and statistical trade data services. Exporters receive business advisory services, product development assistance and representation at major trade events.
Export products promoted by GEPC include:

GEPC‘s Data processing Department is tasked with the collection, analysis, storage and retrieval of Ghanaian trade data. The department also issues the Export Performance Report which details Ghana’s performance in the non-traditional export sector. The following statistical reports are available from GEPC:

Contact:
Ghana Export Promotion Council
Republic House, PO Box M146, Accra, Ghana
Tel: (+233-21) 228813 / 228830 Fax: (+233-21) 668263 / 233725,
Email: gepc@ghana.com Website: www.exportghana.org/

The Minerals Commission (MINCOM) is the main promotional and regulatory agency in the minerals sector in Ghana. Under the Constitution of Ghana and Act 450 (1993),

MINCOM’s mission is to:
Regulate and manage the mineral resources of Ghana and co-ordinate polices in relation to them.

Contact:
Minerals Commission
#9 Switchback Road Residental Area, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
P. O .Box M.193, Accra, Ghana
Tel: (+233-21) 665 125/9 Fax: (+233-21) 663 801