The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Federation of Exchanges, and United Nations Global Compact, marked International Women’s Day 2025 with a bell-ringing ceremony aimed at highlighting strides made in attaining gender parity in financial markets.
The event, themed ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’, underscored efforts to enhance women’s participation in finance and investment.
Managing Director-GSE, Abena Amoah, highlighted the exchange’s role in advancing financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs through T market platforms, debt and equity financing options, and financial literacy initiatives.
She outlined key initiatives designed to improve financial access for women, including the Ghana Alternative Exchange (GAX) which provides capital to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
She cited Samba, a woman-led food processing company that raised US$2.5million through the GAX to expand its operations.
“For us, one of the key things at the Stock Exchange is financial empowerment and inclusion. That is why we have set up specific markets or products that support women’s financial inclusion,” she said.
The GSE MD also pointed to the market’S sustainability segment, where companies can issue social, green or gender bonds as an alternative to traditional financing.
“These are lower-cost capital options for businesses investing in social impact initiatives, particularly those led by women,” she noted.
Beyond access to capital, Ms. Amoah stressed the need for improved financial literacy to help women navigate investment opportunities.
“It is about simplifying explanations around investing so that more women can participate. Everyone with a phone – including women – should be able to transfer their savings into an investment product,” she stated.
She also advocated early financial education, suggesting it should be made compulsory in schools.
Cemile Hacibeyglu, Senior Country Officer at IFC Ghana, reinforced the economic case for gender inclusion – citing global disparities.
“Today, we ring the bell not just as a symbolic gesture but as a call to action. The rights, equality, and empowerment of women and girls are essential for sustainable development and economic growth,” she said.
She highlighted that, globally, women have only 77 percent of the legal rights men have, while 2.4 billion women live in economies that limit their financial and employment opportunities.
“In sub-Saharan Africa, the gender gap currently stands at 32 percent across political participation, economic opportunity, education, and health. At this rate, it will take 95 years for Africa to achieve gender parity,” she stated.
However, she pointed to areas of progress including Africa’s 25 percent female board representation – higher than the global average of 17 percent – and the fact that one in four businesses on the continent is female-led.
“Africa has the world’s highest proportion of women entrepreneurs. Innovation, new technologies, and digital platforms are bridging gaps, providing African women with greater access to jobs, markets, and education,” she added.
The IFC official further stated that gender diversity is not only a social imperative but also a business advantage.
“Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 21 percent more likely to experience above-average profitability than those in the bottom quartile,” she noted.
The IFC, she added, is committed to expanding financing for women entrepreneurs and supporting companies that prioritise gender diversity.
“Closing gender gaps requires bold, coordinated action from the public and private sectors. Governments, businesses and development institutions must work together to eliminate barriers, challenge outdated norms and create environments where women and girls can succeed,” she stated.
The event also featured a discussion which highlighted concerns about gender equity ‘fatigue’.
Afua Addo Yobo, a student at the African Science Academy, noted that some young people perceive gender inclusion efforts as redundant… believing that progress has already been made.
“I think the fear for many young women like me is more about gender equity fatigue and complacency. Some believe that the fight for gender equity is over, so they question why we are still talking about women’s rights. But the reality is that there’s still so much more to be done,” she stated.