A delegation from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), led by Deputy Director-General Mensah Thompson, paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith, with discussions centring on the performance of the Ghana Stock Exchange, the role of the diaspora in national development, and the opportunities available to investors looking to Ghana’s growing economy.
Mr Thompson told the Ambassador that Ghana’s stock market had delivered some of the strongest returns on the continent and remained on that trajectory heading into 2025.
“The Ghana Stock Exchange was the best in Africa in 2024, and this year, even within the first quarter, the exchange remains the best performing in Africa,” he said, adding that declining inflation, improving economic stability, and lower interest rates had created conditions that made Ghana’s capital markets increasingly attractive to investors seeking stronger returns.
Ambassador Smith welcomed the engagement and spoke at length about the need to connect wealthy diaspora communities and foreign investors with opportunities back home, arguing that channelling those resources into Ghana would create jobs and reduce the pressure that drives young Ghanaians to seek opportunities abroad.
“We can partner with some of these American big pockets and take advantage of the opportunities we are offering back home,” he said.
The Ambassador said his office, working alongside the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, was actively organising investor presentations and forums to showcase Ghana’s investment climate, and urged the SEC delegation to participate in all business engagements organised by the Embassy in the United States.
“My emphasis is on taking Ghanaians with you , encouraging those in the diaspora to invest and return home to help build the country,” he said.
The SEC’s Head of International Relations, Dorothy Yeboah-Asiamah, addressed growing interest among Ghanaians abroad in investing in Ghanaian securities, urging potential investors to use licensed and regulated platforms to protect their funds and strengthen confidence in the market.
“We have licensed brokers and investment schemes that allow people abroad to safely invest in securities in Ghana, and we want more members of the diaspora to take advantage of these opportunities,” she said.
Other members of the SEC delegation included Peter McNamara of the Policy Research Unit, Emmanuel Darko of the Broker Dealers and Advisers unit, Richard Dusi, Head of Fintech and Innovation, and Marilyn Lamiokor-Mills from the Board Secretariat.
Ethel Cudjoe Amissah, ISD
Washington, USA
