Bank of Ghana inaugurates University of Ghana Chair in Finance and Economics and launches Governor’s Future Leaders Fellowship

The Bank of Ghana published Governor Dr Johnson Asiama’s inaugural address marking the launch of the Bank of Ghana Chair in Finance and Economics at the University of Ghana, positioning it as a vehicle to deepen the link between academic research and monetary and financial-sector policymaking. The Governor also announced the Governor’s Future Leaders Fellowship to identify high-performing graduates in economics, finance and public policy for structured development opportunities. The Chair is intended to stimulate research in areas including inflation dynamics, exchange rate management, digital finance, regulation of virtual assets and financial stability, alongside joint research initiatives, policy labs and data partnerships, and curriculum support in central banking, risk governance and macroprudential policy. In discussing digital money and crypto-related risks, the address referenced the e-Cedi pilot, work to finalise regulations for Virtual Asset Service Providers, and use of the fintech regulatory sandbox. The speech also set recent macro and banking-system context, citing 2022 inflation of 54.1 percent and cedi depreciation of over 50 percent, followed by 2025 cedi appreciation of over 42 percent year-to-date supported by over USD 11 billion in international reserves and an IMF programme; it highlighted banks’ growing holdings of government debt and a preference for government and Bank of Ghana securities (GHS 162.92 billion as of 30 June 2025) relative to gross loans (GHS 89.16 billion). Under the fellowship initiative, selected graduates would receive scholarships, internships and policy immersion opportunities at top global institutions, with an expectation they return to Ghana.