Mr. Kwame Owusu-Boateng, the Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd., has been named Male Personality of the Year at the Ghana Executive Awards 2025. The award ceremony took place at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Friday, 16 May. This recognition celebrates Mr. Owusu-Boateng’s exceptional leadership, strategic insight, and operational success within Ghana’s financial industry.

Under his leadership, Opportunity International has distinguished itself as a leader in inclusive finance, establishing high standards for ethical conduct and community involvement. The institution has provided focused financial assistance to MSMEs, enhanced customer service, created job opportunities, and invested significantly in corporate social responsibility projects. Mr. Owusu-Boateng expressed his gratitude and honor for the award, dedicating it to his colleagues, board members, and clients. He emphasized that this award motivates him to strive for a better future.

The Ghana Executive Awards, organized by Globe Productions, aims to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding functional and departmental leaders across various sectors. The event promotes excellence in leadership, innovation, teamwork, and organizational performance to encourage competition and ongoing improvement among Ghanaian businesses.

Mr. Owusu-Boateng has over 22 years of experience in international trade finance, banking operations, microfinance, marketing, and executive management. He has received executive training from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. His award marks not only a personal accomplishment but also a celebration of strong leadership in promoting financial inclusion in Ghana.

In other news, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has approved a R51 billion guarantee facility for Transnet, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance. This facility supports Transnet's capital investment program and will help meet its debt obligations. Transnet states that the facility will enable the refinancing of maturing debt and ensure ongoing access to resources for operations and capital investments.

The Department of Transport has stated that Transnet is vital to South Africa's economy and inclusive growth. The entity is undergoing a reform program to improve operational performance and address challenges in operations, finance, and governance. Transnet is making progress in implementing rail and port reforms in line with existing Guarantee Framework Conditions. Private Sector Participation (PSP) transactions are being implemented to modernize operations and infrastructure and grow the logistics sector.

By the end of March 2025, Transnet moved 161 million tons of freight on its rail network. The 2024/25 Network Statement, released in December 2024, facilitates private sector operators on freight rail, with the first successful bidders expected to be announced by the end of July. In March, a Request for Information (RFI) was issued for private investors on five key freight corridors and associated ports to promote private investment in Transnet infrastructure while maintaining state ownership. The RFI closes on May 31, with requests for proposals expected by September.

Interim solutions for capital investment needs include project-based applications to the Budget Facility for Infrastructure. Transnet is collaborating with the National Treasury and the Presidency to develop a joint funding policy to support immediate capital improvements by the private sector in priority freight corridors. The financial support package includes a R41 billion guarantee facility for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years, as well as a R10 billion guarantee for liquidity management related to debt servicing and capital investments.

On December 1, 2023, a R47 billion guaranteed support facility was announced, enabling Transnet to execute its Recovery Plan over the 2023/24 - 2024/25 financial years, increasing capital investments and improving liquidity. The Guarantee Framework Agreement between the Department of Transport and the National Treasury includes conditions that will be continuously reviewed and amended, focusing on operations requirements and logistics sector reforms. Transnet aims to recover and fulfill its strategic role in the South African economy with government support and collaboration with customers and industry partners.