His Excellency the President of Ghana, John Mahama, through the Ministry of Finance, has appointed Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation and an Agribusiness advocate, to the Board of the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) to drive inclusive Agricultural Growth and support the sustainable transformation of Ghana’s agricultural financing landscape.
Speaking at the swearing in ceremony, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister for Finance, emphasized the importance of Ms. Akosa’s appointment, citing her outstanding contributions to Ghana’s agricultural sector.
“Ms. Alberta Akosa has consistently demonstrated leadership, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to empowering women and youth in agriculture,” the Deputy Minister said.
“Her appointment reflects the government’s intent to bring experienced and practical voices into the agricultural policy and financing space. We are confident that her expertise will help GIRSAL reach more underserved farmers and agribusinesses across the country.”
Hon. Nyarko Ampem also congratulated all Board members and reiterated GIRSAL’s essential role in promoting private sector investment in agriculture.
“If you are familiar with the Government’s manifesto, you will know it contains several promises to promote agriculture. However, these promises cannot be achieved through government investment alone. We need the active participation of the private sector to drive growth in agriculture, and your role will be key in making that happen,” he added.
Ms. Akosa has spent over a decade leading initiatives that promotes agriculture as a sustainable and profitable business, particularly among young people and women. Through her work at Agrihouse Foundation, she has pioneered programs that improve market access, build capacity, and de-risk the image of agriculture for a new generation of farmers and entrepreneurs.
In a brief statement following her swearing-in, Ms. Akosa expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to bring her grassroots experience and advocacy to bear to fully support the Board and its strategic initiatives.
“I am deeply honored to serve on the GIRSAL Board. This is an important platform to reshape how we finance agriculture and support farmers, especially those in underserved communities. I look forward to contributing to a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient agricultural sector,” she said.
Professor Richard Jinks Bani, the newly appointed Chair of the Board, expressed his appreciation to the President and the Ministry of Finance for entrusting him and the team with this responsibility.
“With the diverse experience represented on this Board, we are ready to take the Minister’s advice and, following this inauguration, hit the ground running to make agriculture more inclusive and sustainable through GIRSAL’s mission,” Prof. Bani noted.
Ms. Akosa joins a Board composed of professionals with expertise in agricultural engineering, banking, agribusiness financing, governance, and public policy. Their mandate includes steering GIRSAL to expand access to agricultural credit, reduce risk for financial institutions, and support long-term growth of Ghana’s agriculture sector.
Her appointment is seen by many as a timely and strategic move to bring field-tested expertise and practical innovation into the agricultural financing space. It also reinforces the government’s commitment to inclusive development and financial empowerment for farmers across the country.
other members of the newly inaugurated Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) Board are:
- Prof. Richard Jinks Bani – Chairperson
- Mr. Nicholas Afrifa – Chief Executive Officer
- Dr. Kwesi Korboe – Member
- Mr. Agbesi Kwadzo Dzakpasu – Member
- Mr. William Wilson Asblek
- Mr. Nicholas Afrifa – Chief Executive Officer
- Dr. Kwesi Korboe – Member
- Mr. Agbesi Kwadzo Dzakpasu – Member
- Mr. William Wilson Asblek
