BoG Deputy Governor Hails IFC–Access Bank Deal to Boost Cocoa Financing

The Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, has described the Risk Sharing Guarantee Scheme between Access Bank Ghana Plc and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a strategic intervention to unlock growth and strengthen Ghana’s cocoa value chain.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the agreement, Mrs. Asante-Asiedu said the partnership aligns with Ghana’s national priorities of expanding financial inclusion, deepening private sector participation and accelerating economic diversification, with particular focus on agriculture.

She explained that the scheme is designed to provide critical working capital support to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), which she described as the backbone of Ghana’s domestic cocoa purchasing system. According to her, ensuring the liquidity and stability of LBCs is not only a commercial objective but a national economic priority, as it safeguards rural livelihoods, strengthens export earnings and supports exchange rate stability.

The Deputy Governor congratulated both Access Bank Ghana Plc and the IFC for the milestone, commending the IFC for its long-standing commitment to Ghana’s economic transformation through development finance, investments and strategic partnerships. She noted that the collaboration in the cocoa sector further reinforces the IFC’s dedication to Ghana’s long-term economic resilience.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu observed that Ghana’s economy is currently at a pivotal stage, having regained macroeconomic stability through prudent monetary policy and disciplined fiscal management. She said these efforts have restored confidence, supported GDP growth and brought inflation back to single-digit levels, creating a more predictable environment for banks to expand financing to productive sectors such as agriculture.

She also praised the performance of Access Bank Ghana Plc, highlighting its consistent growth and contribution to the banking sector. As at end-December 2025, the bank recorded total assets of GHS 19.47 billion, representing 4.36 per cent of industry assets, while deposits stood at GHS 14.27 billion.

In terms of profitability, the bank posted a Return on Assets of 3.75 per cent and a Return on Equity of 21.58 per cent in 2025, with a Non-Performing Loans ratio of 3.82 per cent. Mrs. Asante-Asiedu said these indicators reflect strong risk management and position Access Bank as a credible partner for development finance initiatives.

She stressed that the risk-sharing guarantee will lower barriers to financing within the cocoa supply chain, enabling safer and more scalable lending to key players who sustain Ghana’s export economy.

Looking ahead, the Deputy Governor encouraged the IFC to consider issuing green bonds on Ghana’s domestic capital market to further promote sustainable finance and support climate-aligned projects across the country.

She concluded by urging Access Bank to deploy the facility efficiently and responsibly to ensure that Ghana’s cocoa value chain remains competitive, resilient and inclusive.