Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, has urged micro-credit institutions to become engines of sustainable and equitable progress, by embracing the principle of environmental and social governance so they can thrive.
He said this formed the basis for the transformative vision for micro-credit institutions that moved beyond profits to create lasting impacts in society.
The minister was speaking at a dinner and Awards Night at the 16th Annual General Meeting of the Microcredit Association of Ghana at Takoradi.
Darko-Mensah stated that micro-credit had long been a lifeline for millions, empowering entrepreneurs and communities excluded from traditional banking.
“… But in a world facing climate crisis, social inequalities, and governance challenges, financial returns alone are not enough,” he added.
He outlined challenges facing Ghana’s micro-credit institutions as high default rates, limited digital infrastructure, regulatory concerns from the Bank of Ghana, as well as public trust issues due to past micro-finance collapses with special reference to the 2017-2019 financial sector clean-up.
Darko-Mensah said: “For micro-credit institutions to thrive, they must embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as a cornerstone of their mission, ensuring they just did not survive but become engines of sustainable and equitable progress.”
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Touching on the why ESG mattered, the MP said micro-credit institutions operated in some of the most vulnerable regions, serving people who faced immerse barriers, hence, by integrating regimes, these institutions could amplify their impact while safeguarding their future.
He said heart of micro-credits lied in empowering the undeserved such as women, youth, and marginalised groups so they should go beyond lending to ensure fairness and protection.
Darko-Mensah said: “By embracing ESG principles, society can build institutions that do not just alleviate poverty but fight climate change, empower communities, and uphold integrity.
He encouraged a move beyond profits to create a legacy of impact, resilience and hope and make micro-credit a beacon of sustainable progress for generations to come.
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