Strong macroeconomy key to sustaining Ghana’s capital market – Stanbic Executive

Baffour Agyarko Kwakye is the Vice President of Debt Capital Markets at Stanbic Bank Ghana. He spoke at the West Africa Bond Market Conference. He emphasized that Ghana’s capital markets need a stable macroeconomic environment.

Mr. Kwakye discussed “The Opportunities and Challenges of Developing Africa’s Bond Market.” He stressed the importance of regulatory collaboration and macroeconomic resilience for a successful bond market.

He stated, “Restoring and maintaining macroeconomic stability in Ghana is essential.” This stability is crucial for recovering and developing capital markets. Trust and investor confidence are vital for any bond market's success. Without stability, attracting investment becomes difficult.

Ghana’s capital market has faced significant stress recently, especially during debt restructuring. However, it remains important for long-term financing in both public and private sectors.

Mr. Kwakye praised key stakeholders like the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). They have worked hard to rebuild confidence in the capital market ecosystem.

He called for better collaboration among regulators, including GSE, SEC, and the Bank of Ghana. This cooperation can help address structural issues in Ghana’s bond market.

“Regulatory silos can stall progress,” he noted. More strategic collaboration could resolve persistent issues efficiently. This would enhance resilience and liquidity in the bond market.

The West Africa Bond Market Conference is an important industry event. It is co-hosted by the Ghana Stock Exchange and ICMA. The conference gathers senior participants like policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions.

It provides a platform for knowledge exchange and regional collaboration. The goal is to promote deeper, more integrated capital markets across West Africa.