Major stakeholders in the banking and insurance industries within the West African sub-region will converge in Accra for the West African Banking and Insurance Forum (WABIF) from September 20 to 21, 2012 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. The event will discuss and chart a path for the future of the financial services industry. The event is designed for practioners and stakeholders in the banking and insurance industries as well as allied service providers within the financial services industry. It will assemble Central Bank Governors, Finance Ministers, Policy Analysts, Managing Directors, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Technical Officers, Finance Directors, Heads of Treasuries, Marketing Managers, Pension Funds Managers, Investment Banks, Mutual Fund Managers, Technology providers & IT specialists, Management Consultants and Economists. Thematic areas to be discussed at the forum will include: Industry leadership dynamics; building a leadership−driven organisation; Financial services industry and Africa’s global competitiveness; Regulatory best-practices in times of uncertainty: the case of the financial services industry in West Africa; Financing SMEs in West Africa; Exploring and maximising opportunities in micro-insurance; New technologies and social media as a potential growth and profitability enabler amongst others. WABIF 2012 has been heavily endorsed by some reputable institutions such as the West Africa Monetary Institute (WAMI), the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), ACCA Ghana, the National Insurance Commission (NIC), and the West African Bankers’ Association (WABA). The event will be held under the theme “Limiting risks, Optimising Opportunities”, and will be focused on highlighting major developments and challenges in banking and insurance in the region, and charting the pathway for a successful future. According to Mrs. Edith Dankwa, Executive Director of forum organisers, Business and Financial Times and BIA Conferences, “The West African Banking and Insurance Forum 2012 promises a unique experience; delegates will learn about the newest strategies, gain insights into tackling contentious challenges and also participate in thought-provoking forum sessions -- all with the intention of setting out a new strategy for the financial services industry’s growth and stability in the West African sub-region.” The confirmed speakers for the event include Mr. William Coker, CEO, WAICA, Managing Director; Mr. Agbai Abosi, Secretary General of the West African Bankers Association; Mr. Kweku Bedu Addo, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana; Mr. Peter King, Managing Director CK Re London; Mr. CC Bruce, Executive Director, ELAC; Mr. Duncan Arthur, Mobile Banking Expect, South Africa; Mr. Yaw Gyamfi, Ag. Executive Secretary, Ghana Microfinance Institutions Network; Dr. John EFFAH, Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana Business School; Mr. Reindorf B. Perbi, Deputy Senior Partner for KPMG Ghana; Albert Antwi-Bosiako, Founder & Principal, E-Crime Bureau Inc., Ghana; Mrs. Shelia Bartels-Sam, CEO, InCharge Global Ghana Ltd; Alhassan Andani, MD, Stanbic Bank Ghana Ltd; Jonathan Tawiah, CEO, Ostec Ghana Ltd; Paul Jacquaye, Group CEO, Clydestone Ghana Ltd; Mr. Issah Anafure, MD, SIC Life; Mrs. Felicity Acquah, MD, Eximguaranty Company Ltd. Ghana, and many others. The West African Banking and Insurance Forum is also supported by Business Times Magazine and Energy Today.