Government has deposited GH¢400 million as initial capital for the Women’s Development Bank, with full commercial operations targeted to start before the close of 2026.
The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed the update in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2026, while presenting the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review of the 2026 Budget.
“Government has made progress towards the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank. On the twenty-sixth of January twenty twenty-six the bank was formally incorporated as WDB Ghana Limited,” he stated.
Following its legal incorporation, the Ministry of Finance formally engaged the Bank of Ghana to secure the required commercial banking licence.
“Mr speaker following its incorporation government applied to the Bank of Ghana for the requisite banking license to enable the bank commence operations,” Dr Forson told the House.
To satisfy regulatory capital requirements for licensing, the ministry transferred the required initial funds directly to the central bank.
“Mr speaker in fulfillment of the capital requirement for licensing the Ministry of Finance has deposited an amount of four hundred million Ghana cities into an account with the Bank of Ghana as the initial capital for the Women’s Development Bank,” Dr Forson said.
The Finance Minister reassured lawmakers that the statutory setup remains on track for rollout within the year.
“Mr speaker the Women’s Development Bank is expected to commence full operations before the end of this year,” he stated.
The Women’s Development Bank (WDB) is set to launch as a specialised financial institution designed to accelerate female economic empowerment and bridge the persistent credit gap facing women-led enterprises.
Regulated by the Bank of Ghana and backed by government seed capital, the bank will provide low-interest loans, tailored credit, and wholesale financing for female entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises, and cooperatives.
It will target key sectors—including agriculture, trade, manufacturing, and technology—while dismantling traditional borrowing hurdles through flexible collateral requirements and risk-sharing mechanisms.
Beyond direct financing, the WDB will integrate business management and financial literacy training to drive sustainable growth as it prepares for full commercial operations nationwide.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
