…urges swift implementation
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has endorsed the Bank of Ghana’s newly launched Sustainable Finance Roadmap, describing it as a key policy framework that can strengthen the country’s financial system against climate-related risks while unlocking new investment opportunities.
However, the IFC cautioned that the success of the roadmap will depend on effective implementation.
Speaking at the launch of the roadmap in Accra, IFC Division Director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, Ms. Nathalie Kouassi Akon, said the framework marks an important step in aligning Ghana’s financial sector with long-term economic development and emerging global sustainability standards.
She said the roadmap provides a coordinated strategy for embedding environmental, social and climate considerations into financial decision-making across the banking, capital markets, insurance and pensions sectors.
According to Ms. Akon, the initiative goes beyond being a policy document, serving instead as a strategic framework to strengthen the management of climate and sustainability risks while creating opportunities to finance Ghana’s development priorities, including employment generation.
“The full implementation of this roadmap will be the next frontier. It will require sustained capacity building, innovative financial products, and an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability,” she said.
The roadmap comes as financial regulators worldwide increasingly require banks and other financial institutions to incorporate climate-related risks into lending, investment and governance decisions. Rising climate shocks, environmental pressures and supply chain disruptions are also prompting investors to place greater emphasis on sustainable business practices.
Ms. Akon said these developments make sustainability an essential component of business resilience and competitiveness rather than a peripheral policy objective.
She noted that by integrating environmental, social and climate risks into financial decisions, institutions would be better positioned to manage emerging risks, identify new investment opportunities and channel capital toward responsible economic activities.
The IFC executive also commended the Bank of Ghana for leading the development of the roadmap, describing the process as a significant undertaking that required strong institutional coordination and a shared commitment to long-term development.
She acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Insurance Commission, National Pensions Regulatory Authority, Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana and the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, saying the cross-sector collaboration provides a strong foundation for building a more resilient financial system.
The roadmap was developed with support from IFC through its Integrated Environmental, Social and Governance Advisory Programme in Ghana, which is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Technical expertise was also provided through IFC’s Sustainable Banking and Finance Network to help align Ghana’s framework with international good practices while reflecting domestic priorities.
Ms. Akon reaffirmed IFC’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s financial institutions, regulators and the Ghana Stock Exchange in integrating environmental, social and governance principles into business and investment decisions.
She said sustained collaboration between regulators, financial institutions and development partners could position Ghana as a regional leader in sustainable finance while supporting inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic growth.
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