By Sarah Baafi
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has endorsed a new Risk-Sharing Guarantee Scheme aimed at strengthening financing for Ghana’s cocoa value chain, describing it as a key intervention for agriculture-led growth and economic stability.
The scheme was signed on January 23, 2026 in Accra between the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Access Bank Ghana Plc, with the central bank participating as a key stakeholder.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mrs Matilda Asante-Asiedu, highlighted the importance of credit guarantee schemes in expanding access to finance, particularly for players in the agricultural sector.
She explained that the facility is designed to provide essential working capital to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) operating within Ghana’s cocoa industry, a sector that remains a cornerstone of the national economy.
“Their stability safeguards rural livelihoods, strengthens export earnings, and supports exchange rate resilience,” Mrs Asante-Asiedu stated.
She noted that by reducing credit risk and improving liquidity for LBCs, the scheme will enhance efficiency across the cocoa value chain while ensuring timely payments to cocoa farmers.
Mrs Asante-Asiedu also commended Access Bank Ghana for its strong financial performance, revealing that the bank’s total assets stand at GHS 19.47 billion. She said this performance reflects market confidence, customer loyalty, and robust risk management practices.
She added that these strengths position Access Bank Ghana as a credible and dependable conduit for development finance, capable of supporting national economic priorities and driving sustainable growth.
The Risk-Sharing Guarantee Scheme is expected to deepen private sector participation in agricultural financing and reinforce Ghana’s long-term cocoa sector resilience.
