Ecobank Group organizes ninth annual Ecobank Day across African Countries

The leading pan-African banking group- Ecobank Group is set to organize its ninth annual Ecobank Day, which is the Group’s flagship annual corporate and social responsibility event that ‘gives back’ to the local communities across its pan-African footprint.

This year Ecobank Day will be held on Friday 22^nd October with the theme ‘Mental Health – Time to Talk and Act!’.

This edition of Ecobank day marks the final stage of Ecobank’s three-year campaign to raise awareness and help prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

The highlight of this year’s campaign will be an informative pan-African webinar on Mental Health issues slated to hold on Friday October 22 at 12 noon CET / 10:00 am GMT.

There will also be a range of activities across each of the Ecobank affiliates with various local public and private partners, aimed at raising awareness of mental health across all 33 countries where Ecobank operates on the continent.

Ecobank Group Chief Executive Officer, Ade Ayeyemi, said “Mental health disorders are one of the most common non-communicable diseases. They have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, with quite a number of people suffering anxiety from social distancing and self-isolation, in addition to financial and health worries. Mental health issues can happen to anyone and it’s important we start talking and acting on it.”

 “We should have a society where people feel comfortable to talk about their emotions, without stigma, discrimination or abuse. Anyone suffering or experiencing mental health issues should be aware that they can get help. It’s time to talk and act on mental health.” Ade Ayeyemi added

Speakers for the webinar to discuss mental health challenges include, Physician and Head of Regional Health and Care Unit for Africa, IFRC (Nigeria) – Dr. Adeiza Ben Adinoyi, Pearl Phelendaba – Founder of Walk With Me Foundation from Zambia, Zimbabwean Psychiatrist Dr. Chido Rwafa – Madzvamutse and Michael Njenga, Regional Mental Health Advisor, Africa for CBM Global Disability Inclusion. The webinar would be moderated by British African Broadcaster Henry Bonsu.

Ecobank Day is an annual event which was first held in 2013, focusing each year on a specific theme. There have been Education for young people in Africa (2013); Malaria prevention and control (2014); Every African child deserves a better future (2015); ICT education in schools and improving maternal health (2016); Safe water management (2017); Orphanages (2018); Cancer (2019); and Diabetes (2020).