Accra: Graduates, new cohorts, and alumni of the Venture Capital Analyst Programme (VCAP) have been urged to support businesses with effective capital deployment to drive growth and job creation. The programme, sponsored by the World Bank through the Ministry of Finance under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP), also launched the VCAP Alumni Network.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Micheal Abbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF), made the call at a graduation and induction ceremony for analysts in Accra. He emphasized that while capital is essential for business growth, the ability to deploy it effectively is even more crucial, with analysts playing a significant role through their insights and recommendations.
Mr. Abbey highlighted that the growth of businesses largely depends on the quality of skills that analysts bring to the venture capital ecosystem. "Capital is very essential but the ability to deploy that capital effectively depends on people. It depends on individuals equipped with the requisite skills, discipline, and perspective required to support businesses and drive growth," he stated.
He added that the VCAP was established to develop the next generation of investment professionals to contribute meaningfully to the investment landscape. Positive feedback about the performance of some analysts at their workplaces has encouraged the VCTF to sustain the programme.
Mr. Kisseih Antonio, President of the Ghana Securities Industry Association and Managing Director of Sentinel Asset Management Limited, described the occasion as one representing "continuity, growth, and the deliberate development of investment talent in the country." He noted that while capital and institutions are important, the quality of available talent determines how effectively funds are deployed and businesses are sustained.
Mr. Antonio pointed out that across emerging markets, private capital growth is constrained not only by the availability of funds but also by the expertise required to identify opportunities, structure investments, and support enterprises. He emphasized that the VCAP addresses this structural gap by equipping participants with the discipline and responsibility required in investing.
He urged graduates and alumni to apply their skills with honesty and focus on solving meaningful problems, especially as domestic capital from pension funds and institutional investors continues to grow in Ghana.