Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang officially opened the ACI World Congress in Accra on Friday, May 22, 2026. She urged global financial institutions to prioritize people, ethical principles, and human capital in all financial dealings. The Vice-President's remarks align with Ghana’s ongoing efforts towards fiscal restructuring and economic resilience.
This global summit, themed “Elevating Markets, Empowering People,” comes at a crucial time for developing nations. These nations are aggressively restructuring their financial systems. Their goal is to build resilience against international economic volatility, directly affecting national development and household budgets.
The Vice-President emphasized that financial markets must serve humanity, not operate in a vacuum. She noted that current global economic instability disproportionately impacts emerging economies like Ghana. This instability disrupts national development, reduces corporate confidence, and strains household finances. She called for a return to ethical fundamentals in global trading, especially in emerging markets.
“Behind every trade and financial transaction are people making decisions,” Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang stated. She added, “It is therefore essential that regulation, transparency, and accountability remain central to the development of our financial systems.” This sentiment underscores the need for robust governance in financial sectors. It aims to protect consumers and foster trust in market operations.
The Accra congress also focused on the rapid digital transformation of the financial sector. Professor Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged that digital innovation creates new opportunities but also brings structural vulnerabilities. She stressed that Ghana and other developing countries must make deliberate, capital-intensive investments in digital infrastructure. They also need to build digital trust frameworks to protect financial networks from cyber threats. This investment is crucial for Ghana’s ambition to leverage technology for economic growth.
The Vice-President also highlighted the importance of strengthening local financial markets. She noted that broader indigenous participation is critical as Africa advances its cross-border economic integration agenda. This focus supports the continent’s long-term goal of building self-sufficient and integrated economies. It aims to reduce reliance on external financial systems.
Looking ahead, Professor Opoku-Agyemang called for significant investment in young people and continuous skills development. She believes the future vitality of Africa’s financial institutions depends on a new generation that is innovative and adaptable. The congress will conclude with technical panels drafting a regulatory framework. This framework aims to balance financial market expansion with consumer protection across frontier economies. The outcomes of this congress could influence financial policies across the African continent for years to come.