Accra: Access Bank (Ghana) PLC, in collaboration with Birmingham City University (BCU), has successfully concluded a two-day SME Green Financing and Sustainability Workshop. The event brought together small and medium-sized business owners, prospective clients, and bank staff with the aim of equipping them with practical knowledge on sustainable business practices and access to green financing opportunities.
According to Ghana Web, the workshop, held on 18th June in Accra, marks the second phase of Access Bank's sustainability financing journey with BCU. This partnership was established in 2024 to embed ESG principles in Access Bank Ghana's lending operations and capacity-building programs. It aims to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate sustainability into their operations while positioning themselves to benefit from emerging global financing opportunities tied to environmental and social governance standards.
Eugene Ocansey, Executive Director for Retail and SME Banking at Access Bank Ghana, highlighted the tangible pressures of climate change faced by Ghanaian businesses, from rising energy costs to disrupted supply chains. He emphasized that sustainability can no longer be treated as a peripheral concern. 'The conversation is no longer about whether green finance matters. The real question is whether Ghanaian businesses and financial institutions are ready to take advantage of the opportunities available,' Ocansey stated.
He further noted that the bank plans to integrate sustainability assessments into its credit processes, with businesses demonstrating strong environmental practices likely to receive preferential financing terms. 'Sustainability is directly linked to business growth and profitability,' he said, explaining that it could involve financing energy-efficient equipment to lower electricity bills or supporting cleaner production methods that improve long-term resilience.
The workshop was facilitated by Prof. Amin Karimu, Professor of Applied Economics, and Prof. Javed Ghulam Hussain, Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance, both from BCU. Sessions covered sustainable business models, green financing structures, and practical ESG integration for smaller enterprises. The professors encouraged SMEs to treat sustainability as a strategic growth tool rather than a compliance burden, noting that businesses adopting responsible practices consistently demonstrate stronger profitability, resilience, and investor appeal.
This initiative is part of Access Bank Ghana's broader efforts to position itself as a leading sustainable bank in West Africa, aligning with evolving global financing standards and environmental governance expectations.