Financial
Literacy week begins on September 28
Accra, Sept. 24, GNA – Ghanaians will have
the opportunity next week to deepen their understanding on
the need for good management of personal finances as experts
in the financial services industry begin a week of public
education.
The Financial Literacy Week, from September 28-October 4, is
the brain child of the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Planning to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the
public about the range of products and services being
offered by financial institutions.
The maiden one was held in September 2008.
Dr. Sam Mensah, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Finance
and Economic Planning, said at a media briefing in Accra on
Wednesday that the week would help consumers to better
understand the need to manage their finances.
It will be held on the theme: "Financial Literacy-Knowledge
Is Money."
The event will have inputs from financial experts and
institutions such as the Association of Bankers, National
Insurance Commission, Ghana Insurers Association and
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Celebration of the week is in line with recommendations in
Ghana's Financial Sector Strategic Plan, which recognises
the need to improve the financial literacy of Ghanaians to
accelerate financial deepening in the economy.
Dr. Mensah said lack of knowledge of financial and
investment opportunities was preventing majority of people
from accessing benefits from the sector.
He noted that when people were enlightened about the various
opportunities in the financial sector; it could help
increase savings and investment to support the growth of the
economy.
Ghana's savings and investment rates have been consistently
below levels needed for accelerated growth and poverty
reduction because of widespread misconception among the
population that only the highly educated people could access
financial services such as savings, loans and investments
offered by the banks.
The week, therefore, will equip the people with the tools
and techniques for finance management and create
opportunities and options for personal business and
professional growth.
There would be informative broadcasts on national radio and
television as well as a National Senior High School Quiz on
financial literacy and a public forum.
Experts from the Finance Ministry, Bank of Ghana, the
country's Securities and Exchange Commission and the Ghana
Insurers Association would be on hand to answer audience's
questions at the forum.
GNA
