When Social Enterprise Ghana was launched, one of our major goals was to see an increase in impact investing to support the growth of social enterprises in Ghana.
As part of this focus in October 2018 we hosted a consultative workshop which focused on the creation of the Impact Wholesale Fund for Ghana in partnership with Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Business Development, and members of Social Enterprise ecosystem. SE Ghana was therefore delighted to participate as a member of the taskforce to set up a National Advisory Board for Impact Investing in Ghana and to launch Impact Investing Ghana (IIGH)
The National Advisory Board (NAB) on Impact Investing Ghana (IIGh) hosted an information session and cocktail reception to mark the launch of the organisation on 18th June at the Ecobank Ghana Headquarters in Accra to explore the concept of impact investment under the theme, ‘Leveraging Private Capital to Close the SDG Funding Gap for a Prosperous Ghana’. The launch was well attended by leaders from an impressive cross-section of organisations including, The British High Commission, Norwegian Embassy, UNDP, KOSMOS Energy, Ghana Commodity Exchange, Barclays Bank, Office of the President and Ministry of Finance (SDG Advisory). Distinguished individuals who were on hand to share remarks and statements of support included Iain Walker (British High Commissioner), Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, UN Resident Coordinator, Dan Sackey (Ecobank, MD), George Sarpong, (KOSMOS Energy’s Director of Corporate Affairs) and Krisztina Tora (GSG, Market Development Director).
IIGh National Advisory Board includes high profile business leaders such as Tralance Addy (YARO Capital), Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh (IBM), Alex Asiedu (Stanbic Investment Management), Constance Swaniker (Accents & Arts), Alex Bram (Hubtel)who will work with other global leaders in 21 GSG member countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Israel and Korea to signi?cantly increase the inflow of investments that have social or environmental impact.
The IIGh Taskforce comprises key actors from the investment and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ghana led by Hamdiya Ismaila (VCTF/Savanna Institute) and founding members Samuel Yeboah and Enyonam Kakane (Mirepa Capital), Nelson Amo (Innohub), Amma Lartey (Reach for Change/Social Enterprise Ghana), Gifty Volimkarime (EQWIP Hubs), Anna Samake (MBC Africa), Oludele Sonekan (Growth Mosaic), Hilde Opoku (Ministry of Finance/ SDG Special Advisor) and Amma Gyampo (AmDeCo/Lady Angel Network)
Impact Investing Ghana IIGH is the first West African counter part of the Global Steering Group. The Global Steering Group (GSG) Chaired by Sir Ronald Cohen brings together leaders from the worlds of finance, business and philanthropy. Its mission is to harness the energy behind impact investment to spark an impact movement around the world.
We are confident that Impact Investing Ghana will catalyze investments in impact ventures in Ghana and beyond and are delighted to support this initiative.