Broadcasting
CDC Establishes Ghana Presence with Appointment of New Coverage Director
CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, on Monday announced the appointment of Kwabena Asante-Poku as Coverage Director for Ghana, effective 1 February 2022.
The new position will amplify the DFI’s presence in West Africa and strengthen its reach across the continent.
Based in Accra, Asante-Poku will lead CDC’s on-the-ground operations in Ghana, working to manage and strengthen the firm’s portfolio and to originate new investment opportunities.
Joining CDC’s Africa coverage team, Kwabena will work on deepening the partnership between Britain and Ghana, and building relationships with key government stakeholders, local private sector businesses, entrepreneurs, and several key stakeholders across the country.
Kwabena Asante-Poku’s appointment to head CDC in Ghana comes as the DFI embarks on a new five-year strategy designed to channel its capital toward scaling the vast economic opportunities throughout Africa, while also meeting pertinent development challenges.
The new approach reiterates the organisation’s invigorated strategic objective to invest for productive, sustainable, and inclusive growth in Africa.
Asante-Poku joins CDC after a 14-year tenure at PwC, where he served as a Partner in Advisory Deals and the Head of Transaction Services in Ghana and Nigeria, providing directed high-level mandates in corporate finance, due diligence, and business strategy across several sectors, including financial services and telecommunications.
Prior to his role at PwC, Asante-Poku was an independent consultant in the UK. He started his career at Unilever in Ghana.
Kwabena is a Ghanaian national and holds an MSc in Finance and Management from the Cranfield School of Management, a BSc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, is a Chartered Accountant and a CFA Charterholder.
Commenting on his new role, Kwabena Asante-Poku, said: “I am delighted to take on this remarkable opportunity as CDC’s Coverage Director for Ghana, during this critical juncture in Ghana’s development trajectory.
“Ghana’s projected GDP growth of 4.4%, the fastest since the pandemic began, signifies a dynamic market brimming with diverse businesses and industries that are open for investment.
“I am eager to get to work on building relationships with leaders of these industries and innovative entrepreneurs, bringing CDC’s patient and flexible capital to transactions that align with the organisation’s strategic objectives and helping bolster sustainable economic growth in Ghana.”
Tenbite Ermias, CDC’s Managing Director for Africa, said: “We are pleased to welcome Kwabena as our Coverage Director for Ghana. The expansion of CDC’s Africa Coverage team reflects our dedication to building on the opportunities and trends that we see across the continent.
“Kwabena’s appointment will allow us to heighten our presence in the West African region and execute our strategic objective of investing for productive, sustainable and inclusive growth.
“Kwabena’s investment expertise across a range of industries along with his deep knowledge of regional markets will be a strong asset to this organisation.
“In his new role, I am confident that Kwabena will help us deliver a bold and long-term investment programme in Ghana and beyond.”
CDC’s current portfolio of investments in Ghana comprises 43 businesses, which support more than 11,000 jobs. The DFI’s investments span a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, financial services, health, construction and real estate, and agribusiness.
Its growing portfolio in Ghana is valued at over $160 million and Asante-Poku’s leadership will help in identifying market opportunities and accelerate the expansion of CDC’s investment portfolio in Ghana.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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