Women’s Development Bank to be launched before year-end — Vice President

Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed the government’s determination to establish a Women’s Development Bank, saying the initiative is intended to expand access to finance for women who are often left out of the formal banking system.

Speaking on The KSM Show on Friday, August 7, 2026, the Vice President said preparations towards the establishment of the bank were progressing and expressed optimism that it would be officially launched before the end of the year.

“We said we’ll do the Women’s Development Bank. We are dead serious about it. I’m hoping that before this year ends, we’d have launched it,” she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang explained that the proposed institution would focus largely on women operating within the informal economy, including petty traders, hawkers and owners of small businesses.

She noted that many women in this category struggle to obtain loans from conventional financial institutions because they lack collateral, formal business records and other documentation typically required by banks.

The Vice President questioned whether the existing financial system adequately caters for women whose livelihoods depend on small-scale informal activities.

“Does it include this lady who went to get somebody’s doughnuts to hawk? Where will this woman get her capital? She’s also a woman,” she asked.

According to her, the Women’s Development Bank is expected to address this financing gap by providing women with greater opportunities to secure capital, expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

She said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to create an economy in which citizens, particularly those operating at the grassroots level, can access the resources needed to become economically productive.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also identified economic recovery, national security and skills development as key areas requiring sustained government attention.

She stressed that improving the economy must go hand in hand with ensuring that citizens feel secure and have access to the training and skills necessary to participate effectively in economic activities.

“You must start with the things that affect everyone, like the economy, like security. We must all feel safe. We must all get proper training to be able to contribute to that same economy,” she said.

The Vice President further commended President John Dramani Mahama for his efforts to address economic difficulties and tackle barriers that limit economic opportunities and improvements in the living conditions of Ghanaians.

Prince Antwi

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