Tag: Stanbic Bank Ghana LTD

 

Senior
executives of Stanbic Bank Ghana have shared insights into Ghana’s rapidly
evolving financial ecosystem with participants of the GIBS INSETA IMPD Women
Immersion Programme, highlighting how digital innovation, capital markets and
inclusive banking are shaping economic growth across emerging markets.

The
discussions formed part of the leadership immersion programme organized by the
Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) in partnership with
the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). The initiative brings together
women leaders from South Africa’s insurance sector for a year-long development
programme that combines academic training with international learning
experiences.

During
the session, Kobby Bentsi-Enchill, Head of Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank
Ghana, provided participants with a broad perspective on Ghana’s financial
infrastructure and how it continues to evolve within the realities of a largely
informal economy.

He noted
that digital financial services, particularly mobile money, have significantly
reshaped the country’s payment landscape, extending financial access to
millions of individuals and small businesses that previously operated outside
the formal banking system.

“Ghana’s
financial architecture is unique because it sits at the intersection of formal banking
and capital markets, and a very vibrant informal economy. Mobile money has
played a transformative role in bridging that gap by bringing everyday
transactions, micro-enterprises and small traders into a more structured
financial environment.”

He added
that alongside use of digital innovation to harness savings and investments, the
government securities market continues to play an important role in setting
pricing benchmarks and maintaining financial stability, to support capital
formation.

“Public
debt instruments such as treasury bills and bonds remain central to the
functioning of Ghana’s financial markets,” he said. “They provide a stable
investment vehicle for both individuals and institutions, while also creating a
platform for capital mobilization that supports national development
priorities.”

According
to him, the interplay between digital financial services, informal economic
activity and established public finance instruments illustrates how emerging
markets are developing hybrid financial systems that respond to both modern
innovation and long-standing economic realities.

Building
on the discussion, Akua Oppong led participants through Ghana’s broader banking
and insurance ecosystem, highlighting the complementary roles these sectors
play in supporting economic resilience and risk management.

She
explained that while banks provide the capital required for expansion and
investment, insurance institutions play a critical role in protecting
businesses and individuals from unforeseen shocks.

“When
banking and insurance sectors collaborate effectively, they create a more
resilient financial system. Access to credit alone is not enough, businesses
also need risk protection, financial education and the right partnerships to
sustain growth.”

She
added that strengthening cooperation between the two sectors can deepen
financial inclusion, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
operating in sectors such as agriculture, trade and manufacturing.

“These
sectors form the backbone of Ghana’s economy, and when financial institutions
work together to support them, the impact extends beyond individual businesses
to the wider economy,” she said.

The
final session of the day focused on the role of gender-focused banking
solutions in promoting inclusive economic development.

Sarfoa
Appietu-Ankra, representing Women’s Banking within Business and Commercial
Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, guided participants through the bank’s
women-focused financial proposition and the growing importance of targeted
support for women entrepreneurs.

She
explained that many women-led businesses continue to face structural barriers
in accessing finance, mentorship and market opportunities, despite their
growing contribution to economic activity.

“Women
entrepreneurs are playing a crucial role in sectors ranging from agriculture
and retail to services and manufacturing. However, access to the right
financial tools, guidance and partnerships is often the difference between
survival and sustainable growth.”

The
sessions provided participants with a practical understanding of how Ghana’s
financial institutions operate within an emerging market context, offering
lessons on capital flows, financial innovation and inclusive economic policy.

For the
visiting delegation, the engagement formed an important part of the programme’s
broader objective, to build a generation of women leaders capable of
influencing transformation within Africa’s financial services sector.

Caption:
Stanbic Bank Executives with the participants of the immersion programme
organised by  Insurance Sector Education
and Training Authority (INSETA) in partnership with the Gordon Institute of
Business Science (GIBS)

 

Have you
ever paused beneath a tree on a scorching afternoon, letting the shade wash
over you? That quiet moment of relief is just the beginning of what trees give
us. Beyond the shade, beyond the rustling leaves, trees are quietly doing
something remarkable, absorbing the very gases that are warming our planet.

Trees
are carbon sinks. Through photosynthesis, they pull carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere and lock it away. Why does that matter? Because carbon dioxide
accounts for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and can
linger in the atmosphere for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. That is
not a small problem. That is a generational one.

Several
greenhouse gases drive global warming: methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated
gases, and carbon dioxide, the most widely emitted of them all. Together, they
are disrupting weather patterns, threatening ecosystems, and placing enormous
pressure on the natural systems we depend on daily.

Here is
how it works. The sun sends energy toward Earth. Under normal conditions, some
of that energy warms the planet while the rest reflects back into space. But
greenhouse gases trap the outgoing heat, forming an insulating layer around the
Earth, the greenhouse effect.

The more
gases we emit, the thicker that layer becomes, and the more heat gets locked
in. The consequences ripple outward: rising temperatures, erratic rainfall,
intensifying floods, and shrinking biodiversity.

The
trajectory is concerning. But it is not irreversible, at least, not yet.

What Can We Actually Do?

Scientists
and engineers are developing carbon capture technologies to support natural
processes, and those innovations matter. But there is also a solution available
to every single one of us, right now: planting and protecting trees.

It
sounds almost too simple. But incremental actions build meaningful change.
Every tree planted contributes to the global goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,
balancing the greenhouse gases we emit with the amount we remove, and limiting
global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. That target is
what stands between manageable climate change and catastrophic disruption.

Around
the world, countries and organizations are responding, shifting to cleaner
energy, investing in electric vehicles, adopting solar power, and building
sustainability into policy. The momentum is real. The question is whether we
will add to it.

A Story That Changed How I See Things

One warm
Saturday afternoon, I was walking my puppy, Silver, when I noticed a woman in
her yard, carefully planting seedlings. Her movements were deliberate, unhurried,
purposeful. On the porch nearby, a young boy sat wrapped in a blanket, clearly
unwell, watching her quietly.

I asked
why she had brought him outside rather than letting him rest indoors. She
smiled and said, “I know he should be
resting. But I want him to watch me. I could be shopping, solving a crossword,
or eating chocolate with him those things are certain. A tree’s survival
depends on so much beyond our control.”

She
paused, then added “But does that really
matter? I want him to see my patience, my sacrifice, my love. One day, if he
faces a decision about cutting down a tree, I hope he’ll remember this moment
and choose differently.”

She was
not just planting trees. She was planting values. She knew she might never see
these trees fully grown. But the possibility alone gave her joy. “If I didn’t act, there would be no chance
at all.”

Walking
away, two words came back to me a saying often attributed to Chief Seattle, “We do not inherit the Earth from our
ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Something in me shifted that
afternoon. It has not shifted back.

Standard Bank Group Steps Up

That
spirit of intentional action is exactly what drives Standard Bank Group’s
global tree-planting initiative this Earth Day. Across its countries of
operation, the Group has launched the Blue Roots Project, in line with Stanbic
Bank Ghana’s Blue Goes Green initiative, a commitment to reduce carbon emissions
and restoring biodiversity, one tree at a time.

Earth
Day, observed every April 22, is a global movement confronting deforestation,
pollution, and climate change. It turns awareness into action and this year,
Stanbic Bank Ghana is proud to be part of it.

Our
sustainability targets in Ghana are bold: 500,000 seedlings planted by 2030
with a 75% survival rate, a framework toward one million trees, and a carbon
offset about 20% of our total emissions. This is not ceremonial. It is a
commitment.

Our
purpose at Stanbic Bank Ghana is clear: Ghana is our home; we drive its growth
through innovative solutions. That growth must be sustainable. It must account
for the air we breathe, the climate we pass on, and the communities we serve.
Environmental responsibility is not separate from what we do; it is central to
it.

One Question Before You Go

Chief
Seattle once warned, “Only when the last
tree has died and the last river has been poisoned will we realize we cannot
eat money.” Sobering words worth sitting with.

So here
is a thought to take with you today: if you had the opportunity to plant your
first tree, where would you plant it and how would you make sure it thrives in
your absence?

Every
tree planted today is a quiet promise to tomorrow. And when we stand together,
our planet has a future.

Happy
Earth Day.

 

Francis Ayisi,
Head, Sustainability, Stanbic Bank Ghana

 

Women-led
businesses in Ghana are being encouraged to move beyond passive online activity
and strategically use social media as a critical tool for growth, visibility
and access to finance.

This
call was made by the Head of Women Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Marian
Amartey, during the MTN SME Accelerate Webinar Series, where she spoke on the
topic, “Breaking Barriers to Growth for Women in Business.” Her remarks
highlighted a growing gap between the potential of women-owned enterprises and
their ability to position themselves effectively in an increasingly digital
business environment.

According
to her, while many women entrepreneurs are active on social media platforms,
few are fully utilizing these tools to build credible business profiles that
can attract customers, partners and even financial institutions.

“Social
media presence is no longer optional; it plays a key role in validating what
you do as a business. Sometimes, before engaging you, financial institutions
will check your online footprint. If you are not visible or intentional about
your presence, you limit the information available for decision-making.”

Her
comments come at a time when small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),
particularly in sectors such as trade, agribusiness and light manufacturing,
are increasingly relying on digital platforms to reach wider markets. Yet, many
women entrepreneurs, she observed, still treat social media as a casual posting
space rather than a strategic business tool.

Madam
Amartey stressed that simply posting content without consistency or direction
is insufficient. Instead, she encouraged women to adopt a more structured
approach, one that includes showcasing products professionally, engaging
audiences, and using built-in promotional tools to drive visibility.

“Posting
and going to sleep is not enough. These platforms have tools that can help you
promote your work effectively. You need to be deliberate about how you present
your business.”

Beyond
visibility, she pointed to partnerships as a key enabler of strong digital
presence. Recognizing that many entrepreneurs juggle multiple responsibilities,
from running their businesses to managing family and social commitments, she
advised them to delegate certain functions to professionals.

“You
cannot do everything alone. Focus on your core business, whether it is food
production, fashion or services, and bring in people who can help you build
your brand online. That collaboration can significantly improve how quickly you
grow.”

This
approach, she argued, not only enhances market reach but also positions
businesses to take advantage of larger opportunities, including corporate
contracts and supply chain partnerships. Without visibility, even high-quality
products risk remaining unnoticed.

Madam
Amartey further noted that many women enter business based on skill or
opportunity but often overlook the importance of systems and structures that
make them “bankable.”

“Visibility
alone is not enough; you must back it with structure and clarity. Financial
records, growth plans, and clear revenue streams are essential. Social media
can open doors, but your internal systems will determine whether you can walk
through them.”

Her
remarks also addressed a persistent perception gap that discourages some women
from engaging with banks. She described this hesitation as largely unfounded,
emphasizing that financial institutions are increasingly designing tailored
solutions to support women entrepreneurs.

“There
is a perception that banks are difficult to approach, but that is changing. We
have dedicated programs to build capacity, offer advisory services and prepare
women-owned businesses for financing,” she stated.

She
further highlighted initiatives such as Stanbic Bank’s Business Incubator
programs, which provide training and mentorship to help entrepreneurs
strengthen both their operational and digital capabilities before seeking
funding.

With
women representing one of the fastest-growing segments of Ghana’s
entrepreneurial landscape, Madam Amartey urged them to take proactive steps to
position themselves for growth. “This is a strong and expanding segment of the
economy. Opportunities exist, but you must step forward, be visible and be ready.”

Marian
Amartey, Head, Women’s Banking, Business and Commercial Banking, Stanbic Bank
Ghana