The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has introduced new
guidelines that fundamentally restructure Ghana's microfinance
sector. The guidelines replace the 2011 Operating Rules and
Guidelines for Microfinance Institutions and apply to all
microfinance institutions, the ARB Apex Bank, and all microfinance
associations.
The reform represents a significant regulatory shift aimed at
strengthening the resilience, governance, and stability of
Ghana's microfinance sector following years of structural
weaknesses, including undercapitalisation, fragmented regulation,
and governance challenges.
The new regime replaces the previous four-tier, activity-based
framework with a revised structure comprising four institutional
categories defined primarily by institutional form, capital
thresholds, ownership and governance requirements. Detailed
governance and operational directives are yet to be issued by the
BoG. All existing institutions are required to transition into one
of the new
