Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has called for a deeper and more inclusive capital market to help Ghana mobilise the long-term financing needed to support sustainable economic growth.
He said Ghana could not rely solely on short-term bank deposits and conventional bank credit to finance long-term development, stressing the importance of expanding access to capital markets and encouraging greater participation by investors.
Dr Asiama made the remarks on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the official launch of the Central Securities Depository’s (CSD) investorConnect platform.
According to him, while banks would remain central to financing the economy, a stronger capital market would give businesses and government access to a broader pool of long-term capital while supporting savings and investment.
“Ghana cannot finance long-term growth from short-term deposits and conventional bank credit alone. Banks remain central to financing the economy, but a deeper and more inclusive capital market gives businesses and Government access to a broader pool of long-term capital, supports savings and investment, and contributes to sustainable economic growth,” he said.
He noted that the capital market could only deepen if investors were able to see, understand and trust what they own.
“That market will deepen only if investors can see, understand and trust what they own,” highlighting how investor access to reliable information is critical to market confidence.
Dr Asiama said the launch of investorConnect represented an important step in the digital transformation of Ghana’s financial market infrastructure.
The platform allows investors to access their securities information directly through web and mobile applications, reducing their dependence on intermediaries for basic information about their investments.
He said investors could open accounts directly on the platform, have their identities verified in real time using the Ghana Card, view securities held in their names and review their transaction history.
“This is a more significant change than it may first appear. An investor who cannot see their own records depends entirely on information supplied periodically by someone else. An investor who can see those records is able to verify them,” he said.
The Governor noted that the platform forms part of the Central Securities Depository’s broader system upgrade and digital transformation programme, and reflects a deliberate effort to use technology to improve access, transparency and convenience for investors.
The Governor, however, clarified that investorConnect would not replace brokers, custodians or investment advisers, whose respective roles would remain important in the market.
He also stressed that digital access alone would not automatically translate into greater investment participation, noting that affordability, product availability, investment advice, trading access and financial literacy would continue to influence participation.
Dr Asiama said digital infrastructure should help reduce geographical barriers to participation in Ghana’s capital market.
He said investors in areas such as Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Zabzugu, as well as Ghanaians living abroad, should increasingly be able to access information and engage with the market regardless of their location.
“The same digital infrastructure also creates opportunities to strengthen the connection between Ghana’s capital market and Ghanaians living abroad, as well as the wider international investment community.”
He said investorConnect could therefore contribute to a more accessible and inclusive capital market while strengthening Ghana’s connection with the international investment community.
The Governor also cautioned that technological innovation in the financial sector must be accompanied by strong safeguards to protect investors.
He urged the CSD to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of investor records, maintain reliable authentication and account-recovery systems, guarantee service continuity and provide effective mechanisms for correcting errors and resolving complaints.
Dr Asiama further emphasised the need for investor education, arguing that digital access must be matched by adequate understanding of investment products, risks and responsibilities.
“Financial inclusion must go hand in hand with financial literacy and investor protection,” he said.
He charged the CSD to treat investorConnect as a foundation for developing the next generation of investor services and to continuously improve the platform based on feedback from users and international standards.
The Governor subsequently joined officials of the Ghana Stock Exchange and the CSD to ring the bell, formally marking the launch of investorConnect.
