The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), John Awuah, is calling for a strategic shift in how pension funds are invested to enhance sustainability and improve returns.
Speaking at the 2025 Money Summit in Accra, organized by the Business & Financial Times (B&FT), Mr. Awuah urged fund managers to move away from heavy reliance on government securities. He argued that exploring alternative investment options would not only boost long-term returns but also strengthen Ghana’s financial sector.
He noted, “The future of investment and pension fund management demands a new mindset, one that embraces risk diversification and sound governance.”
According to him, adopting alternative investments, when managed professionally, will help preserve the value of pension funds and secure income for retirees. Furthermore, this approach could support national development and create a more robust economic environment.
His comments come amid declining returns on government securities, particularly following the domestic debt exchange programme. At the same time, concerns continue to grow about the performance of the country’s largest pension trustee, SSNIT, due to poor investment decisions and underwhelming returns.
Mr. Awuah backed the push for building balanced investment portfolios and reiterated the importance of strong governance practices in pension fund management.
The 2025 Money Summit provided a platform for key industry players to discuss pressing financial sector issues. This year’s theme was “Optimizing Investment and Pension Management: Strategies for Sustainable Retirement Income and Economic Growth.”