This trade is the first ever Global Master Repurchase Agreement (GMRA) documented in Ghana, which was made possible by the recent Bank of Ghana (BoG) 'Guidelines for Repurchase Agreements in Ghana' and the improved capacity within the local market.

It is a one-year cross-currency repo transaction documented under standard GMRA 2011, and mandated by BoG for any repo trades in Ghana.

Hugh Friel, the Vice President of Frontclear who made this known to the Ghana News Agency said "The successful conclusion of this landmark trade, just one month after the publication of the repo guidelines, demonstrated first-hand, the benefits of using internationally accepted documentation and the importance of providing clarity on key aspects such as; title transfer of collateral and enforceability of GMRA provisions in a close-out scenario."

He said Frontclear was proud to play a role in delivering the first ever true repo trade documented under standard GMRA with their partner banks.

"Our success in closing this trade is testament to the commendable efforts of the Ghanaian authorities and market participants to develop Ghana's capital markets, efforts which Frontclear was contributing to, through its technical assistance programme over the past three years.

"We hope that this trade sends a strong statement of support that will spur further activity in the repo space," Friel said.

Sam Kwame Aidoo, the Deputy Managing Director, Wholesale Bank, Fidelity Bank Ghana said the bank would continue to work hand-in-hand with their global partners, local regulators and the Central Securities Depository to drive local market development.

"Not only does the new GMRA framework afford us the ability to tap new funding sources (local and offshore), but also more importantly, it achieves this in a timely, cheaper and more predictable manner. This gives leading banks in Ghana like Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited, the needed flexibility to continue to support a number of industries that drive Ghana's real economy," he said.

Aidoo said for the bank to continue to build global partnership, it would lead the way in providing access to secure and flexible short-term investment opportunities for global partners in Ghana, while simultaneously accelerating the widespread adoption of internationally acceptable standards such as the GMRA in Ghana's financial markets.

Jérôme Sabah, Global Head of Rates, Credit and Forex Sales for Financial Institutions, Societe Generale said: "Following the first cross-currency total return swap in Ghana closed one year ago, Societe Generale is pleased to extend its capabilities and to be part of this first ever GMRA-documented repo transaction in Ghana with Fidelity Bank Ghana and Frontclear.

"This cross-currency repo adds to the existing set of collateralised financing solutions proposed by the bank in this country and illustrates its tailor-made approach to serve its clients with innovative market solutions."