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The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through its project WIDU.africa (Full project title: Promoting employment in the informal sector in Africa through the leverage of Diaspora Cash Transfers) organized a high-level consultative forum. The aim of the meeting was to explore the market potential and cooperation opportunities for credit offerings to micro-entrepreneurs. The forum was aimed at: Introducing WIDU.africa, its approach to supporting and financing micro and small businesses in Ghana, and its growing database of key business data (including KYC, info-security, business performance, etc.). Understanding the needs of banks, MFIs, and DFIs in assessing and providing credits to micro and small businesses in Ghana. Introducing, discussing, and launching a partnership between WIDU.africa and financial institutions to scale the access of micro and small businesses to loans. The meeting took place on 1st December 2022 at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. Participants included the executive management of selected [...]

The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources in partnership with GHAMFIN and UNICEF organized a Strategic Engagement on Sanitation Financing which took place on 31st March 2022 at the La-Palm Beach Hotel in Accra. The aim of the workshop was to discuss opportunities to develop blended finance mechanisms for sanitation. With the successful modelling of sanitation revolving schemes in Ghana, the market is ripe for the scaling up of interventions. Significant Market opportunities exist for household and enterprise loans for toilet construction and emptying services. By leveraging the experience from Financial Service Providers in the existing sanitation portfolio and by exploring upcoming solutions for guaranteeing investments in sanitation, the workshop offered a unique opportunity to discuss strategies for enhancing this emerging and promising sector. As part of the process to develop an operational structure for the main project, in February 2023, a team was put together to visit the communities[...]

The Ghana Microfinance Institutions Network (GHAMFIN) with support from The Financial Inclusion Advocacy Centre organized the 2 nd Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) Awards and Dinner Night. It is intended to be an annual event in the non-banking financial institutions sector that seeks to showcase and applaud the best performing non-bank financial institutions in various categories. It took place on Friday, 25th August 2023 at Mensvic Hotel in East Legon. The following were the award categories and respective member awardees. Best in Corporate Governance – Central Microfinance Best Disability Products – Not Awarded Best in the Promotion of Financial Inclusion – West One Microfinance Most Gender Focused MFC – FwF Microfinance Contribution to Financial Literacy – Talent Microfinance Most Innovative Product of the Year – Leverage Microfinance Outreach in Rural Areas – Baobab Microfinance The Best Microfinance Methodology – Afro Arab Microfinance Best Sustainable MFI in Agriculture Financing – Maroon Capital[...]

Following a proposal submitted to GIZ for the development of a 5-year strategic plan in 2021, MGA Consulting Ghana was engaged to lead the process in 2022. The plan was deemed essential because it would provide a clear long-term vision, set specific goals, help allocate resources effectively, guide decision-making, align the entire organization, prepare for changes, communicate with stakeholders, evaluate performance, enhance competitiveness, ensure sustainability, promote financial stability, and establish accountability. In essence, it would serve as a roadmap for the Association’s success and growth over the long term. Engagements were held with the Board, Management and Member companies in Accra and Koforidua during the third and fourth quarter of the year. The plan was finalized and submitted to the Annual General Meeting for approval and adoption in November 2022. It is currently being implemented.

The 11th Annual General Meeting was held via zoom on 23rd November 2022 under the theme ‘’Developing Resilience in an Unstable Economy’’. The Special Guest of Honour, Mrs. Delamazior Nyanyo of Ghana Fintech and Payments Association and Keynote Speaker, Mr. Alex Asiedu of Standard Bank both delivered a speech on the theme. During the AGM, the 5-year strategic plan which had been drafted during the year was presented to members for approval and adoption. In line with that, the Board received consent to review the GAMC Constitution and appoint a new external auditor. In attendance was Mrs. Patience Nkansah – BoG (OFISD), Mrs. Pearl Esua-Mensah, CEO - Ghana Deposit Protection Scheme (GDPC), Mr. Anthony Kumah, Technical Advisor – GIZ (FSD), Executive Secretaries of sister Microfinance Associations including GHAMFIN, and representatives from partners, collaborators and the media.

As part of the secretariat’s workplan, the Member Relations Manager visited member companies of the Association. This included members located in the Eastern region, Volta region, Northern region, Central region, Ashanti region, Western region and Greater Accra region. The various sector reps availed themselves to assist the Member Relations Manager to undertake this activity from August 2022 to October 2023. The purpose of the visitations was to interact with member companies, provide relevant updates and use the opportunity to receive feedback on the Association's programs & activities and areas members desired improvement or inclusion.