NaVALI Launched to Deepen Public Understanding of Virtual Assets in Ghana

The Bank of Ghana has launched the National Virtual Asset Literacy Initiative (NaVALI), a strategic programme designed to educate the public and strengthen institutional capacity as Ghana advances its regulatory framework for virtual assets.

The initiative was unveiled on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Bank Square in Accra by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiamah, who described NaVALI as a critical foundation for safe, informed, and responsible participation in the digital asset ecosystem.

Dr. Asiamah said the launch follows the recent enactment of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, which provides the legal basis for regulating virtual asset activities in Ghana. He noted that the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as the designated regulators under the Act, are working to put in place the necessary systems and structures to ensure its effective and orderly implementation.

According to the Governor, regulation alone is not sufficient to address the risks associated with virtual assets, stressing that public understanding and stakeholder readiness are equally essential.

“Effective regulation and enforcement cannot be achieved by regulators alone. The entire ecosystem must be adequately prepared through sound knowledge of virtual asset activities, their implications, and the risks involved,” he stated.

NaVALI is anchored on the principle of “understand before you undertake,” positioning virtual asset literacy as a key pillar for building a secure digital economy. The initiative aims to equip institutions with knowledge of virtual assets and enabling technologies such as blockchain, while also raising nationwide awareness to discourage uninformed usage and risky adoption.

The programme is being implemented by the Bank of Ghana in collaboration with the SEC, as well as academic and industry partners, as part of a coordinated effort to close knowledge gaps and enhance consumer protection in the rapidly evolving digital finance space.

Dr. Asiamah commended the Virtual Asset Regulatory Office and other stakeholders for their contributions to the initiative, calling for sustained collaboration among regulators, industry players, educators, civil society, and the media to ensure its success.

He further urged Ghanaians to actively participate in the initiative, emphasizing that financial innovation can only support national development when it is grounded in knowledge, trust, and accountability.

The Governor concluded that NaVALI marks the beginning of a long-term journey toward effective regulation, consumer protection, and sustainable innovation in virtual assets, as Ghana works to build a secure and inclusive digital financial future.