CBU President extends warm greetings ahead of Spring Festival

Anthony Greene, President of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union has extended warm greetings to the vast audience of China Media Group (CMG) for the upcoming Spring Festival and the Year of the Horse.

Greene highlighted the "values of courage, independence, momentum and bold moves" embodied by the horse in Chinese culture, expressing a strong commitment to continued collaboration with Chinese partners to navigate a dynamic global media landscape.

The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, falls on Feb 17 this year. It is one of the most important holidays in China, celebrated with family reunions and wishes for good luck in the coming year.

The full text of his message is as follows:

I extend warm greetings as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, the CBU. It is truly an honor and pleasure to have this opportunity to participate in marking one of the most significant annual events.

As the head of the Caribbean's media sector body, I particularly appreciate the partnership with China Media Group and CCTV Video News Agency, which allows me to share this message with one of the largest audiences in the world.

The impending Year of the Horse celebrates the values of courage, independence, momentum and bold moves. These are also important values for the CBU family.

The media sector today has to manage in a dynamic environment, not only navigating technological but also environmental and social changes.

Through collaboration with partners in the Global South and particularly in capacity building, we are better able to achieve common goals boldly, with courage and demonstrating independence.

It is therefore an opportune time to commit to continued collaboration with our colleagues at China Media Group and CCTV Video News Agency, and to extend best wishes for a successful year ahead.

Thank you and Happy New Year！

CBU President extends warm greetings ahead of Spring Festival

African officials on Wednesday pledged to scale up investment to accelerate development across the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at a meeting in Accra, Ghana's capital.

They made the commitment during the 24th Annual General Meeting of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), where leaders highlighted the need to expand the bank's capital base to finance transformative projects.

Ghanaian Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson stressed that timely capital payments would strengthen EBID's leverage and sustain its growth, enabling the institution to stimulate inclusive economic expansion across the region.

"Timely capital payments are critical. It strengthens EBID leverage and sustains its growth and impact across our region. Expanding our capital base is essential to strengthen our ability to finance transformative development projects and stimulate inclusive economic growth among our member states," said Forson.

EBID recorded strong achievements in 2025, with total disbursements of about 722 million U.S. dollars, up 47.7 percent from 2024. Building on that momentum, President George Agyekum Donkor said the bank remains committed to helping member states tackle poverty and close infrastructure gaps across the region.

"We aim to direct at least 63 percent of new commitments towards the private enterprises to catalyze job creation and innovation. Simultaneously, the bank would embed environmental, social and governance principles across its operations, dedicating over 41 percent of resources to climate mitigation and social inclusion projects," said Donkor.

With disbursements surging nearly 48 percent last year, EBID officials said the bank is positioned to channel more resources into private-sector growth and climate-focused projects, reinforcing its role as a driver of inclusive development across West Africa.

African officials vow stronger investment push at ECOWAS bank meeting in Accra