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The Vice Chancellor of the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwah, has urged financial and investment analysts to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations in their business analysis and decision making in order to help protect the environment for future generations.
ESG, among others, is defined as business models, products and service which contribute to sustainable development.
He said financial and investment analysts must not only focus on the growth of businesses, but solutions that protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
Prof. Afoakwah made the appeal in Accra on Saturday during the 2024 Annual Conference and Induction ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts (CFIA) Ghana in a speech read on his behalf by the Dean of School of Business of GCTU, Professor George Oppong Appiagyei, said one of the most powerful tools financial and investment analysts wielded were their ability to guide investments that were not only profitable but environmentally sustainable.
Prof. Afoakwah said deforestation, water pollution, climate risks, and waste management challenges posed a serious threat to the country.
“These challenges are not just environmental concerns—they are financial issues, and they present both significant risks to be mitigated and tremendous opportunities to be exploited,” he explained, and urged financial and investment analyst professionals to help the country to overcome those challenges.
The programme, organised by the CFIA Ghana in collaboration with GCTU, was on the theme: ‘The role of Analyst on Trending Environmental Issues: Ghana in Focus.’
In all 38 new financial and investment analysts, including senior fellows, fellow members, full members, and associate were inducted into the association, and eight people graduated with professional diploma and advanced professional diploma certificate.
Moreover, Prof. Afoakwah entreated financial and investment analyst to support sustainable infrastructure development, advocate stronger environmental regulations and collaborate with stakeholders such as the government, communities and non-governmental organisations to address the environmental challenges facing the country.
In a panel discussion, a Senior Lecturer and a Head of Department of Accounting, Banking and Finance of GCTU, Dr Emmanuel Attah Kumah Amponsah, said, “Financial Analyst can turn ESG into opportunities for resilience and sustainable growth.”
He urged the youth to advocate for echo-friendly policies such as installation of renewable energy sources, use of sustainable materials, reducing waste through recycling and composting, and avoiding illegal mining and deforestation in the communities.
The Vice President of CFIA Ghana, Dr Gabriel Apotey, said the conference was focused on the environment to discuss the key environmental challenges facing the country as such as galamsey, destruction of water bodies, pollution, poor waste management, indiscriminate dumping of waste.
He said the government, traditional leaders, professional bodies, opinion leaders, the youth and media must collaborate to fight the environmental challenges facing the country.
Dr Apotey stated that the environment was crucial for the survival for all living things businesses and organisations, and efforts must be made to protect the environment
BY KINGSLEY ASARE
