SECURED TRANSACTIONS AND COLLATERAL REGISTRIES PEER TO PEER LEARNING EVENT Accra, Ghana 3-5 July 2012 0 P a g e
ABOUT P2P LEARNING EVENT This event will be held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Ghana and its objective is to share best practices, ideas, opinions and expertise on the legal and institutional framework governing the creation, registration, and enforcement of security against movable assets in Africa. It is an excellent opportunity for other African countries to learn from Ghana s experience in implementing a Secured Transactions reform that has successfully facilitated access to credit for businesses and individuals using movable assets as collateral for loans. During three consecutive days, participants will learn the importance of: 1) Designing an appropriate legal and regulatory secured lending framework. 2) Developing a centralized electronic registry for security interests in movable property. 3) Providing the necessary training and capacity building to reform beneficiaries. In addition, there will be a site visit to the Registry of Bank of Ghana for participants to learn first-hand from their Ghanaian counterparts. We are inviting high level delegations from African countries which are active reformers or have expressed interest in reforming in this area to attend the event. Participants will include government officials who are involved hands-on with designing and implementing reforms, delegations from Central Banks and private sector representatives from each country. DATE AND TIME: July 3-5, 2012 Tuesday : 08:00 17:00 Wednesday: 08:30 17:00 Thursday: 08:30 14:00 PLACE/DATE/VENUE: Accra, Ghana, July 3-5, 2012 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com BOOKING FORM: June 15th, 2012. ** Please note that we have blocked rooms at the conference venue at a daily rate of $230 (WB rate). Please find attached hotel booking form which should be completed and return to the hotel by June 15 (please CC: erodriguezfelipe@ifc.org). After that date, rooms will be released and reservations will be subject to availability. 1 P a g e
ABOUT MÖVENPICK AMBASSADOR HOTEL Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is an international hotel chain with Swiss roots. These origins manifest themselves in its passion for hospitality and its love for detail. Fully committed to these values, it strives to implement them by ensuring quality, reliability and care with a personal touch, in line with its maxim "Passionately Swiss ". In everything it does. For several years, it has pursued a policy of diversification in two clearly defined directions with four and five-star service where every individual guest can expect each stay to be a unique and special experience. As guests enjoy an individual and professional service, they know they can feel at home in every Mövenpick Business Hotel or Holiday Resort. RESTAURANTS Sankofa, the all day dining restaurant, offers multi ethnic cuisine serving sumptuous "flavors of the world" with a variety of mouth watering live cooking stations. "one2one" is a chic cocktail bar where you can escape, socialize, and launch your evening in style to the sound of African lounge music or a live performance. A casual haven in the middle of the city, the Pool Bar & BBQ is the place to revitalize yourself while indulging in "light" summer recipes and the best Beef "n" Reef delicacies fresh from the Grill. Destined to be the meeting point of Accra during the day or after dark, the Lobby Lounge is a refreshing and cozy escape offering light refreshments, exquisite pastries and a "grab and go" menu. In-room dining offers an extensive menu to please all palates in the privacy and comfort of your room. Spoil yourself in the unrivaled Executive Club Lounge experience: breathtaking views over the heart of Accra, around the clock pampering with culinary delights and every comfort available to ensure that you enjoy your stay to the full. 2 P a g e
LOCATION The Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra is conveniently located in the central business district of downtown Accra close to ministries, major financial institutions and the International Conference Centre. Kotoka International Airport is a mere 7 km drive from our hotel. 3 P a g e
ABOUT GHANA The Republic of Ghana lies along the Gulf of Guinea on the West Coast of Africa. With a population of approximately 20 million people, the country shares borders with Togo, Côte d Ivoire and Burkina Faso and occupies an area of 239,460 km 2 (92,660 square miles). Formerly called the Gold Coast, Ghana was the first country south of the Sahara to gain independence from Britain on March 6, 1957. Accra is its capital and the official language is English, which is spoken alongside other local languages such as Twi, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani and Fante. Ghanaians are reputed to be Africa s friendliest and most hospitable people. We invite you to discover our rich history and culture. IFC OFFICE LOCATION The Accra Office is located in South Legon, near the Wild Gecko Crafts Village, which is off the Accra-Tema motorway extension, Dzorwulu. The office is about 15 minutes drive from the Kotoka International Airport. Hse. # 1 Central Link Street, South Legon, Accra P. O. Box CT 2638, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana. Tel: (+233) 307012170-1, (+233) 307011282-3, (+233) -302-214600- 699 Fax: (+233) -302-214697 CURRENCY / PAYMENTS The local currency is the cedi (GH 1.9 = US$1). Cash or travelers checks are the best options for payment in Ghana. Forex bureaus are located in the hotels and around town. Credit cards are accepted at the hotels, major stores, and some restaurants in Accra, but use them at your own risk. TRANSPORT For within-city travel, please contact Karyn Owusu-Afram to assist in booking reliable car and driver hire services. Costs range from US$70 - US$100 per day. Taxis are also plentiful and generally safe in Accra. For travel outside of Accra, IFC vehicles are available with advance notice. 4 P a g e
PHONE CALLS The country code for Ghana is (233). If calling within Ghana, drop the country code and add (0). (For example, to call the Ghana office, dial +233-307012170-1/+233-307011282-3 outside of Ghana and 0307012170-1/0307011282-3 within Ghana.) Landline numbers begin with prefix (302) e.g. +233 302 followed by the number 214600 (office landline). You should drop the prefix if dialing from a landline to another landline in Accra. The various cellular networks have the following prefixes: MTN - 024, Vodafone - 020, Tigo 027// Kasapa 028 Airtel - 026 and Glo - 023. SECURITY Personal security precautions one would normally observe in Washington, DC also apply in Ghana, such as traveling in groups and minimizing travel at night (especially on foot or in taxis). Please remember that in a mugging or robbery, it is advisable not to engage in any kind of struggle. In Ghana, victims who resist attackers run a high risk of physical injury. In addition, please keep all valuable items in the hotel safe as there have been occasional thefts in some hotels. Ghanaian/West African Ghanaian Village La Palm Hotel Country Kitchen Ringway Estates Maquis Tante Marie Accra Mall/Labone Chinese Noble House Osu Dynasty Osu Imperial Peking Granada Hotel Indian Heritage Osu (above Noble House) Tandoor Osu Italian/Pizza Borsalino Ring Road / Osu Mama Mia Osu Continental Monsoon above Osu Food Court Landing Airport Sandwiches/Burgers Cuppa Cappuccino Airport Residential Area Frankies Osu Nandos Osu Food Court or next to Maxmart Ivy s Coffee Shop Ring Road Crown Apartamento Dzorwulu Juniors End Airport Residential Coffee/Pastries Choco Pain Dzorwulu FOOD/BEVERAGES/RESTAURANTS 5 P a g e
SHOPPING IN ACCRA Tetteh Quarshie (Craft Market), close to IFC office Arts Centre (handicrafts market), High Street African Market (handicrafts shop), Osu Woodin (fabric shop), Osu Makola Market (local market), City centre Wild Gecko (handicrafts/furniture), close to the IFC office Accra Mall (Tetteh Quarshie Circle) THINGS TO DO/SEE IN ACCRA Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, High Street National Museum, Barnes Road THINGS TO DO/SEE OUTSIDE ACCRA (Approx driving time from Accra depending on traffic) Kokrobite Beach Kokrobite (1 hr) White Sands Beach Gomoa Feteh (1.5 hr) Cape Coast Castle Cape Coast (2.5 hrs) Elmina Castle Elmina (3 hrs) Kakum National Park Cape Coast (3 hrs) Shai Hills Akosombo Road (40 mins) Akosombo Dam Akosombo (1.5 hrs) Manhyia Palace Kumasi (4 hrs) Ada Estuary Ada (2 hrs) 6 P a g e