Stable economy, access to finance key to youth development – BoG Governor

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama has called for coordinated efforts to equip young Ghanaians with relevant skills, support enterprise development and create an enabling environment for investment.

He said Ghana’s large youth population presented significant opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, but realising that potential would depend on policies that respond to young people’s needs.

Speaking at the launch of Ghana in Numbers 2025 in Accra on Thursday, October 29, Dr. Asiama said reliable demographic, social and economic data would help identify gaps in opportunity and guide national development planning.

“Our large youth population presents a significant source of innovation and entrepreneurship. However, realising this demographic potential will depend on our ability to equip them with relevant skills, support enterprise development and create an enabling environment for investment,” he said.

The report’s maiden edition is themed “Youth and the Demographic Transition”.

Dr. Asiama said a stable macroeconomic environment and a well-functioning financial system were important for expanding access to finance and supporting productive economic activity.

He cited improvements in Ghana’s economic indicators, including inflation remaining in single digits for 13 consecutive months and a relatively stable exchange rate despite external pressures.

The governor also disclosed that average lending rates had fallen from 30.25% in December 2024 to 15.78% in September 2026.

Over the same period, growth in real private sector credit increased from 0.20% to 26.42%, according to figures he presented.

Beyond macroeconomic stability, Dr. Asiama said the central bank was pursuing initiatives to improve financial inclusion and financial health.

“These efforts are intended to make formal financial services more accessible, affordable and convenient, particularly for young people, women, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and underserved communities,” he stated.

He said Ghana in Numbers 2025 could contribute to more informed national discussions by bringing demographic, social and economic information together.

Dr. Asiama urged stakeholders to regard the publication as a national resource for evaluating progress and making better decisions about Ghana’s future, particularly for its young people.