…the imperatives for today and the future
Over the past couple of years, Ghana has experienced economic volatility marked by high interest rates, high inflation and high depreciation of the local currency. People and institutions that invested monies in government bonds have had to revise their plans due to government’s domestic debt exchange programme. The consequence of all this put together is a loss of investor trust and confidence in the Ghanaian economy. This notwithstanding, one critical thing investors must acknowledge is the fact that markets go through cycles – and Ghana’s economy will bounce back if key stakeholders across government, investors and the private sector commit to putting the right things in place to ensure speedy economic recovery. In this article, I will highlight some key factors for stakeholders to consider as we navigate the path to economic recovery.
Rationalising Public Expenditure
On the part of government, the critical issue to look at is the attitude to public expenditure. Government must re-evaluate its use of public funds, especially its funding of flagship policies. It is common knowledge that a lot of thought and consideration went into planning and formulating the policies, with very good intentions behind them. However, in the light of current economic circumstances, it would be prudent to rationalise these policies and determine which ones are priority and those to be deferred. Government must also intensify its fight against corruption, as that also increases public expenditure.
Information Sharing
The second thing government should do in restoring confidence in the economy is share information. Government needs to be generous with information, because economies and markets thrive on the availability of information that allows investors to make informed investment decisions. When you leave investors in a vacuum you open them up to assumptions, making them reactionary and panicky at the least sense of market instability. Regular updates on the debt restructuring and progress being made would be helpful.
Patience is Key
In the private sector’s case, the first thing they need to do is to have patience and forbearance. The crisis is already here. Panic and knee-jerk reactions will only exacerbate the situation. It is critical to maintain calm and cool heads for decisions and steps that sustain our finances and investments until such a time that the economy/market recovers. It is also important to take investor education very seriously. Investors must be made to understand that market downturns are a reality and that every market experiences a downturn at some point, but these are not permanent and over time the markets will bounce back. Patience is key as we head toward a recovery.
De-dollarise the Economy
Among important initiatives the private sector must support is ‘de-dollarisation’ of the economy and adoption of a price regime that reflects macro-economic conditions. Pricing things in foreign currencies only inflates costs, affecting the economy’s overall health. It is also very common to see Ghanaian businesses increase prices when things get worse but fail to reduce them when things improve. These are issues the private sector needs to consider as we seek to restore trust in the Ghanaian economy.
Assess Risk Profile Prior to Investing
On the part of investors, it is important that going forward they re-evaluate a number of things before making investment decisions. Firstly, they need to ensure that their risk profiles match the kind of products they desire to invest in. The disconnect between an investor’s risk profile and the kind of investment s/he does is one of the fundamental reasons why investors are agitated and not happy. It is also important to assess the investment’s goal. The reason this is important is that a well-defined investment goal gives you fundamental reasons to consider in terms of what you should choose as an investment.
Also, in choosing an investment product, it is important to understand the risks inherent in that product. Any decision to invest is a decision to take some risks. No investment is risk-free. Every investment action we take has a form of risk. But then, the question is: how much risk are you willing and able to take? This is risk-profiling and a necessary step in taking investment decisions.
Diversify Investments
Furthermore, investors need to diversify their investments as a way of spreading their risks across different portfolios. Investors should not put all their eggs in one basket, no matter how good the investment is; it is important that they spread their investments. It is also useful to have a comprehensive view of one’s wealth before making an investment decision. The investor is then able to assess the overall allocation of wealth into different investments and ensure adequate diversification in line with investment objectives and liquidity needs or financial obligations. The investor is also able to assess how much additional funds is truly available to invest. In essence, one cannot invest what s/he does not have – and invest based on one’s needs and not the attractive nature of investment returns. And lastly, investors must be patient because the markets will bounce back.
As Ghana embarks on its journey toward economic recovery, rebuilding investor trust remains a top priority. The imperatives of rationalising public expenditure, information-sharing, de-dollarising the economy and exercising patience on the part of investors form the pillars upon which this trust can be built. By diligently addressing these imperatives, Ghana can regain its reputation as a preferred investment destination; thus attracting both domestic and international investors eager to participate in the country’s economic transformation. As the nation forges ahead, it is essential that all stakeholders remain committed to creating an enabling environment which encourages investment, drives innovation and unlocks the full potential of Ghana’s economy.
Kwabena is Managing Director-Stanbic Investment Management Services (SIMS)
