Continuity of national development activities boosts investor confidence – Asomaning

The Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Ghana and President of the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), Kwamina Asomaning, has called for a Parliament-approved long-term development framework to safeguard investor confidence and ensure continuity across political administrations.

Speaking at the Stanbic/Graphic Business Breakfast Meeting on the theme “Beyond Political Cycles: Creating Long-Term Development Pathways for Sustained Investor Confidence,” Mr. Asomaning stressed that predictability remains the bedrock of both domestic and foreign investment decisions.

He noted that the country risks stalling progress when development agendas are reset after every election cycle. “As President of GAB and Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank, I can attest that investor confidence is built on predictability. Financing requires certainty and stability,” he said.

The Chief Executive explained that long-term national plans, when maintained across governments, build trust in the system. “Continuity in our development agenda ensures that our country is steadily advancing, not constantly restarting. When that exists, the private sector becomes a true partner in national development, not a cautious observer.”

Mr. Asomaning argued that political continuity is not at odds with democratic practice. On the contrary, he said, adherence to long-term national programmes strengthens democratic institutions. “The truth is, continuity does not undermine democracy; it strengthens it. When citizens see that national projects survive beyond election cycles, trust in both government and democracy deepens,” he added.

He emphasized that investors are more willing to commit resources when national priorities are protected from abrupt shifts. “Investors, too, gain confidence when they know that commitments made today will not be abandoned tomorrow,” he said.

To safeguard this stability, he recommended that Ghana’s long-term development plan be approved by Parliament to give it national legitimacy and insulation from political transitions. “If we truly want this plan to work, wouldn’t you agree it must be approved by Parliament, giving it legitimacy beyond party lines and ensuring continuity regardless of political transitions?” he asked.

He further stressed that Ghana’s development blueprint must be grounded in local priorities rather than imported models. While acknowledging the value of global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said they should not override Ghana’s unique needs.

The fourth quarter of the Stanbic/Graphic Business Breakfast Meeting brought together policymakers, business leaders, economists, and stakeholders to discuss strengthening investor confidence through long-term national planning beyond political cycles.