By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Experts from MTN Ghana and Deloitte have cautioned that Ghana could miss out on billions of dollars in emerging green investment opportunities unless the country strengthens the clarity, predictability, and coordination of its sustainability policies.
At Bright Conversations, industry leaders argued that the global economy is shifting rapidly toward low-carbon growth, and Ghana must update its regulatory approach if it intends to attract investors who now consider sustainability performance a key determinant in business decisions.
Policy Uncertainty Driving Investors Elsewhere
According to Adwoa Wiafe, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Ghana’s fragmented sustainability policies are creating uncertainty for investors seeking stable long-term green markets.
“The private sector needs clear direction,” she said. “If businesses cannot tell what framework guides renewable energy or recycling investments, they hesitate and investors take their capital to markets with clearer rules.”
Wiafe warned that Ghana’s position as a potentially attractive sustainability hub in West Africa could weaken if policymakers do not streamline and coordinate existing frameworks.
Sustainability as a Driver of Business Competitiveness
Wiafe argued that sustainability is no longer a public relations issue but a hard economic factor shaping innovation, resilience, and competitiveness.
“Sustainability must be embedded in how we produce, how we consume, and how we operate,” she said. “It is a strategic business imperative.”
She noted that global supply chains, development finance institutions, and major investors increasingly require companies to demonstrate measurable environmental and social performance before funding or partnering with them.
Carbon Market Seen as Missed Opportunity For Now
Deloitte’s Dr. Kwabena Situ highlighted the country’s underdeveloped carbon market as a prime example of unrealised potential. He estimated that Ghana could attract over $1 billion in climate financing by 2028, yet businesses are not fully tapping into this opportunity.
“Awareness is low, and many companies don’t yet understand how to generate or trade carbon credits,” he said. “Without capacity building and clearer policies, Ghana cannot maximise the value of this market.”
He said countries that move quickly to establish transparent carbon frameworks will dominate the green economy in the coming decade and Ghana must move decisively to avoid being left behind.
Mindset Shift Needed for Economic Transformation
Both Wiafe and Dr. Situ emphasised that Ghana’s economic future is increasingly tied to its sustainability strategy. They argued that shifting mindsets — from both citizens and corporate leaders — is just as important as policy alignment.
Wiafe reiterated MTN’s commitment to integrating sustainability into every part of its operations, saying it strengthens business resilience, boosts innovation, and drives community development.
“Everything we do must create shared value for our business and our nation,” she said.
Ghana at a Crossroads
As global markets prioritize environmental stewardship and climate resilience, Ghana faces a defining choice: strengthen its policy and institutional frameworks to attract green investment, or risk falling behind more coordinated African competitors.
Industry leaders at the forum agreed on one message: Ghana’s sustainability transition is not just an environmental agenda; it is an economic strategy that could determine the nation’s long-term growth trajectory.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
📞 +233 541 921 562
✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
