The Secretariat will be headquartered at NEOPLAN HOUSE, Accra, Ghana, which will serve as the operational hub and gateway for all PABF activities across the West Africa Region.

Under the Mandate Letter issued under the hand and seal of the Pan African Business Forum, Dr Ugoh is duly authorized to operate, represent and advance the interests of PABF across West Africa.

His mandate includes the authority to:

– Operationalize and lead the PABF West Africa Secretariat in Accra;

– Organize Corporate Conferences, Business Colloquiums, Seminars, Workshops, CEO Dialogues, Investment Forums and Business Roundtables under the PABF banner;

– Convene the Annual West Africa Business Leaders Awards;

– Engage Governments, Development Partners, ECOWAS Commission, AfCFTA Secretariat and Private Sector Bodies; and

– Contribute to core Business Leadership Excellence across West Africa and Africa in general.

Dr Ladislas Prosper Agbesi, Executive Chairman of PABF, stated: “Dr Oscar Sam Ugoh brings a wealth of leadership, enterprise and continental commitment that aligns perfectly with PABF’s 20-year legacy of integrity, non-partisanship and business excellence. West Africa is pivotal to Africa’s trade and investment future, and we are confident that under his leadership, PABF West Africa will significantly advance trade, investment and enterprise across the region.”

In his acceptance remarks, Dr Oscar Sam Ugoh said: “I am deeply honored by this mandate. I accept this responsibility with full commitment to uphold the values of PABF and to work with all Governments, Private Sector Leaders and Development Partners to advance business leadership excellence, intra-African trade and investment. Ghana as our hub will serve West Africa with professionalism and purpose.”

All Governments, Financial Institutions, Development Partners, Corporate Entities and the General Public in West Africa and beyond are kindly requested to accord Dr Oscar Sam Ugoh and his team full recognition, support and cooperation as official representatives of the Pan African Business Forum in West Africa.

About Pan African Business Forum (PABF)

The Pan African Business Forum (PABF) is a continental business leadership organization headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, dedicated to Advancing Trade, Investment and Enterprise Across Africa. Established in 2006, PABF convenes business leaders, policymakers and investors to shape Africa’s economic future.

The official launch in Ghana took place on 26th August 2026, at the British Council in Accra, marking an important step in Prudential Life’s continued commitment to financial education and inclusion and supporting Prudence Foundation’s broader efforts to advance financial wellbeing across Asia and Africa.

Created by Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of leading Asia and Africa insurer Prudential plc, Levela is designed to make financial learning simple, practical, and accessible. Available through a mobile app and website, the platform provides short, easy-to-follow lessons on key money topics including budgeting, savings, credit and debt management, insurance, financial planning, and fraud prevention.

“We are proud to launch Levela in Ghana, our first market in Africa, as part of Prudence Foundation’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion across the region,” said Nicole Ngeow, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation. “Through accessible, self-paced learning, Levela helps a new generation of young adults build the money skills and confidence needed to navigate everyday financial decisions.”

In Ghana, the need for practical financial education remains urgent as students, graduates, young professionals, entrepreneurs, informal-sector workers, and households make important decisions about income, savings, credit, insurance, and long-term planning. Levela is designed to meet people where they are and respond to their realities, offering self-paced learning to support better habits, stronger financial confidence, and greater resilience.

Jane Dornukuor Mingle, the Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Life Insurance Ghana indicated that the Ghana rollout will build on the company’s long-standing financial literacy work, including its school, campus and market-based education initiatives. Through its collaboration with the Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP), Prudential Life will support national adoption of Levela through institutional partnerships, outreach activities, ambassador-led engagement and targeted activations across the country, extending financial education beyond one-off engagements into a practical digital learning journey that users can continue at their own pace.

Sign up for Levela and begin building smart money skills today. Ghanaians aged 18 and above can access the platform through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or online via levela.app to start learning, building confidence and strengthening their money management skills.

The initiative, unveiled during the 2025 SMEGA Awards ceremony, provides each award-winning entrepreneur with a dual-layer security net: GHS 100,000 in Life Insurance coverage for one year, alongside robust Business Protection against fire and allied perils.

While recognition is vital, this intervention shifts the focus toward long-term economic sustainability. In Ghana, SMEs account for most of the workforce, yet they remain the most vulnerable to financial shocks. By providing formal risk-mitigation tools, StarLife and MTN are transforming award recognition into meaningful financial sector impact.

According to Alex Twumasi, Head of Commercial Distribution, StarLife Assurance, the partnership with MTN Ghana reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Ghana’s SME ecosystem by providing not only visibility but also practical risk protection tools.

SMEs are the backbone of Ghana’s economy. By protecting both the entrepreneur and the business, we are ensuring continuity, resilience, and growth,” he stated.

The beneficiaries of the insurance package provided by StarLife Assurance in partnership with MTN Ghana at the 2025 SMEGA Awards include distinguished Ghanaian entrepreneurs across diverse sectors. They are Joyce Irene Ababio, CEO of JACCD Design Institute Africa; Jemima Blessed Attuahene, CEO of Evergreen Blessed; Braimah Hawah, CEO of Akaal Skill Development Academy; Charles Atia, CEO of B-Diet; Rita Aku Diabah, CEO of Yesli Ice; Gafaratu Fuseini, CEO of Queen Gaf; Asante Philomena, CEO of Minana Services; Nana Abenaa Oforiwa, CEO of Sinceshea; Alex Opare Yeboah, CEO of Lexvee Agro Processing; Hammond Stephen Nii Armah, CEO of Haps GlobalTogether; Mohammed Shani-Zakaria, CEO of Saan One One Company; and James Ebo Whyte, CEO of Roverman Productions.

This intervention is a critical response to a business environment where many SMEs remain highly vulnerable to unforeseen disruptions most notably fire outbreaks and the loss of key personnel. By integrating Life Insurance for business owners with comprehensive Asset Protection, this initiative provides a dual-layer of security. This approach does more than provide a safety net; it ensures business continuity, allowing these enterprises to survive external shocks, maintain operations, and continue contributing to Ghana’s economic growth.

The collaboration underscores the growing role of corporate partnerships in SME development. With MTN Ghana leading in digital inclusion and StarLife Assurance providing world-class risk management, this partnership serves as a blueprint for safeguarding the future of Ghanaian entrepreneurship and driving forward Ghana’s financial inclusion agenda.

She made the call during a webinar hosted by the Microinsurance Network (MiN) in collaboration with the GSMA as part of a discussion on mobile-enabled microinsurance. The event also featured the launch of a joint report titled “From Connectivity to Coverage: Scaling Resilience through Mobile-Enabled Microinsurance.”

The report presents fresh evidence, market insights and strategic recommendations on how mobile network operators (MNOs), mobile money providers (MMPs), technical service providers and insurers can work together to close the protection gap through mobile-enabled insurance solutions.

Speaking during the panel discussion, Sylvia said expanding insurance offerings beyond traditional life policies will be critical to improving adoption and delivering meaningful protection to underserved segments of the economy. According to her, most insurance products currently available through mobile money platforms are individual life policies, leaving significant gaps for other customer groups.

About 95% of what we have as insurance products are individual and largely life insurance. There is a whole segment of SMEs and gig workers that are not adequately covered,” she said. She explained that while mobile money platforms provide convenient channels for delivering insurance services, including through USSD, mobile applications and agent networks, product innovation must evolve to meet the real needs of customers.

Sylvia added that relevance remains one of the biggest drivers of adoption. “Anything that customers do not find relevant, they will not patronize,” she said, emphasizing the need for insurance products that align with how individuals and businesses manage risk and savings. She further underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between regulators and industry players to unlock the full potential of embedded and contextual insurance solutions.

Other speakers on the panel also highlighted the evolving nature of mobile-enabled insurance and the need for new models to improve accessibility.

Richard Leftly, an independent consultant and industry expert, noted that early digital insurance models relied heavily on free products offered by mobile operators to encourage customer behaviour such as increased airtime usage or mobile wallet transactions. While these products helped achieve rapid scale initially, he said converting customers from free insurance to paid products proved challenging.

Teresa Nyatuka, Principal Officer for Planning at Kenya’s Insurance Regulatory Authority, highlighted the critical role of regulation in ensuring consumer protection while enabling innovation in the sector. She noted that regulators must strike a balance between encouraging adoption and safeguarding customers through measures such as informed consent, clear product disclosures and accessible complaint mechanisms.

The webinar convened leaders from the mobile industry, insurance sector, development organisations, regulators and digital finance practitioners to explore how mobile technology can transform access to risk protection for low-income and underserved populations.

Grounded in the latest findings from the GSMA–MiN report, the discussion highlighted emerging models, regulatory innovations and enabling factors shaping the future of mobile-enabled insurance.

The strategic partnership brings together two iconic Ghanaian brands united by a shared commitment to excellence, leadership, and national pride. As brand ambassador, Appiah will support SIC Insurance Plc in promoting insurance awareness, strengthening public engagement, and championing the importance of financial protection among individuals and businesses across the country.

Appiah is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most influential footballers, having captained the national team during one of the most historic periods in Ghanaian football, including the country’s first appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

His leadership, discipline, and dedication have earned him admiration both on and off the pitch.

Commenting on the partnership, the Managing Director of SIC Insurance Plc, James Agyenim-Boateng, said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to aligning its brand with personalities who embody credibility, resilience, and national service.

Stephen Appiah represents the spirit of leadership, perseverance, and excellence that SIC Insurance Plc stands for. His influence and connection with the Ghanaian public make him an ideal partner as we continue to deepen insurance awareness and strengthen trust in our brand,” he said.

He added that the partnership forms part of SIC Insurance Plc’s broader brand strategy aimed at strengthening its market presence and bringing insurance closer to the everyday lives of Ghanaians.

In his remarks, Appiah expressed appreciation for the opportunity to partner with one of Ghana’s most respected financial institutions.

It is a great honour to collaborate with SIC Insurance Plc, a company that has played a pivotal role in Ghana’s insurance industry for decades. I look forward to supporting the company in promoting the importance of insurance and helping more Ghanaians understand the value of protecting their future,” he said.

The gesture forms part of the Group’s annual “Love Month” initiative observed in February, a period dedicated to demonstrating care and support to vulnerable members of society.

The donation was directed to the Children’s Cancer Unit of the Child Health Department, where many families struggle with the high cost of cancer treatment. By covering the medical bills of the 21 children, Star Assurance Group has brought significant relief to their families and renewed hope in their fight against various forms of cancer.

During the visit to the wards, Rosemary Aryee, Head of Human Resource & Administration, StarLife Assurance, who led the team, stated that the initiative reflects the Group’s commitment to social impact and community development. She noted that February is not only a time to celebrate love, but also an opportunity to make meaningful contributions that positively impact lives.

She added that supporting children undergoing cancer treatment aligns with the broader mission of Star Assurance Group to provide security and assurance—not only through its insurance services, but also through meaningful and tangible acts of kindness that uplift vulnerable families.

Lawrencia Turkson, Principal Nursing Officer at the Department of Child Health of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, expressed profound gratitude to the Star Assurance Group for the timely intervention, noting that childhood cancer treatment can be financially and emotionally draining for families. She indicated that such partnerships play a vital role in improving access to quality healthcare for children in need.

Parents and guardians of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation for the support from the Star Assurance Group.

The initiative underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in addressing critical healthcare challenges and highlights Star Assurance Group’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable communities across the country.

The donation, done in partnership with the Total Family Health Organisation (TFHO), will benefit all 236 girls at the special needs institution, in addressing a fundamental barrier to their regular school attendance and overall well-being.

Presenting the items, the Managing Director of Imperial General Assurance, Harry Boakye Ofori-Attah said the initiative underscores a firm commitment by the company to advancing key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), achieved through strategic Partnerships (SDG 17).

Mr. Ofori-Attah emphasized that the support is beyond the physical donation. “For us at Imperial, this means more than pads; it means comfort, inclusion, and the assurance that the education of these girls and their daily lives will not be interrupted,” he stated. “Every girl deserves dignity, confidence, and the freedom to learn without barriers.”

Menstrual hygiene management remains a significant challenge for many young girls in Ghana, often leading to missed school days and diminished self-esteem. The challenge is compounded for girls in special needs schools, who face additional societal and economic hurdles.

The partnership with TFHO, a social marketing organisation working to encourage healthy behaviours and provide affordable health products across Ghana, ensured the donation was tailored to meet the specific needs of the beneficiaries. School authorities have hailed the gesture as a timely intervention that will foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.

“Together, we’re building a world where every girl can rise with confidence, every single day of the month,” Mr. Ofori-Attah added, highlighting the broader vision behind the corporate social responsibility project.

On his part, the Executive Director of TFHO, Joseph Addo-Yobo said his organisation recognised that it could not tackle period poverty alone, especially when it comes to reaching the most marginalized communities, hence their decision to partner with Imperial General Assurance.

“The deaf and special needs students often get overlooked in mainstream health initiatives, and Imperial General Assurance shared our vision that every young person deserves dignity during menstruation, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. Their commitment to corporate social responsibility aligned perfectly with our mission at TFHO, and together, we knew we could make a real difference. It’s partnerships like these that help us extend our reach beyond what we could achieve on our own and ensure that no girl has to miss school simply because she doesn’t have access to sanitary pads.”, he stressed.

The donation at the Ashanti School for the Deaf sets a powerful example of how targeted partnerships between the private sector and non-profits can create tangible impact, breaking down inequalities and empowering the most vulnerable to pursue their education and potential without limitation.

The company won Mobile Insurance Innovation of the Year, Innovative Digital Insurance Platform of the Year, and Customer Experience Champion of the Year, while its Chief Executive Officer, Francis Gota, was adjudged InsurTech CEO of the Year.

These recognitions cap off a landmark year for aYo Ghana, which has insured over 8.5 million lives across the country and paid more than GH₵35 million in claims, reaffirming its commitment to delivering real value and protection to Ghanaians.

Driving Impact Through Simple, Relevant Digital Products

aYo Ghana’s flagship offerings, Recharge with Care, Family Cover, Annual Cover, MedCover, Pay & Drive motor insurance, and other embedded microinsurance solutions, have become the backbone of its inclusive insurance strategy.

These products offer a blend of life, hospital, accident, and business protection, structured specifically for mass-market customers who require flexible and low-commitment coverage,” the company said in a statement.

The company’s growing contribution to insurance penetration is driven by its ability to simplify processes such as policy enrollment, renewals, and claims through mobile channels, ensuring that customers can sign up and stay protected without paperwork or complex procedures.

Built for the Customer: Strong Touchpoints Across Ghana

aYo’s ability to serve millions is anchored in its broad and customer-friendly network of touchpoints, including:

• USSD codes (*296#) for instant registration and claims initiation,
• MTN Mobile Money integrations enabling seamless premium payments,
• A multilingual call centre and interactive voice response (dial 296) offering personalised customer support,
• Social media including WhatsApp (+233596918235) and digital chat channels for fast, convenient engagement,
• Nationwide agents who engage directly with customers in rural and peri-urban areas,
• Partner-based activations, especially within MTN service centres, to enhance accessibility.

This omnichannel model, the company said, ensures that customers, regardless of location or level of digital literacy, can interact with aYo in the way that suits them best.

Customer Experience Excellence, Backed by Results

According to the company, the Customer Experience Champion of the Year award reflects its deliberate investment in service excellence, noting that over the past year, aYo Ghana has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving trust, clarity, and convenience for policyholders. These include:

• Proactive customer education campaigns, ensuring subscribers fully understand benefits, premiums, and exclusions
• Faster, simplified claims processing, with many claims settled within 5 working days
• Transparent claims tracking via SMS updates
• Digital policy statements and reminder notifications for clarity and transparency
• Enhanced customer feedback systems, enabling continuous improvement based on real insights

Through these interventions, aYo Ghana has significantly boosted customer satisfaction, reduced pain points, and strengthened confidence in mobile insurance,” the statement said.

Leadership Driving Innovation

Receiving the InsurTech CEO of the Year award, aYo Ghana’s CEO, Mr. Francis Gota, expressed gratitude to customers, partners, and staff for their continued trust and collaboration. He reaffirmed the company’s mission of driving inclusive, technology-enabled insurance for every Ghanaian.

These awards reflect our collective commitment to innovation, customer trust, and digital transformation,” he said. “We will continue to build relevant products, invest in our digital channels, and ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of income or location, has access to meaningful protection.”

A Model for Africa

With these four awards, aYo Ghana strengthens its position as one of Africa’s leading InsurTech brands. The company’s digital distribution model, anchored on mobile technology, inclusive products, and customer-first service, continues to serve as a benchmark for the industry and a blueprint for insurance transformation across the continent.

This is part of the Ministry’s advanced key reforms to safeguard stability in the financial sector.

A National Microfinance Policy is also being finalised to strengthen regulation and expand financial inclusion, while the Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2025, laid before Parliament, will modernise depositor protection and align the scheme with global standards, Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed this in the 2026 Budget.

According to him, a new Securities Industry Bill will also be introduced to replace the 2016 Act and address regulatory gaps exposed by past crises.

The Minister also said Ghana in 2025 will undergo its third FATF/GIABA Mutual Evaluation, with the Financial Intelligence Center (FIC) leading implementation of the National AML/CFT Policy to improve compliance, supervision, and enforcement.

In 2025, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) intensified Ghana’s anti-money laundering (AML) framework by training over 1,000 officers across banks, fintechs, and non-profits, while strengthening collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority on tax-related financial crimes.

In climate finance, the Minister said Ghana continued to advance its leadership in climate finance. The Ministry launched Phase II of the Ghana Green Finance Taxonomy (GGFT), Resetting for Growth, Jobs, and Economic Transformation 2026 Budget, expanding coverage to sustainable construction, water, and waste management.

This system ensures that investments are channelled into projects with genuine environmental benefits and shields the market from greenwashing. In 2026, Phase III will broaden coverage to manufacturing, mining, and adaptation-related sectors.

The Claims Professional of the Year Award signals Otoo’s exceptional contributions to the industry, through consistency and excellence on the back of unique talent and dedication to prompt claim payments heralding Serene Insurance as the new face of insurance.

The CIIG Insurance Excellence Awards provides a platform to promote professionalism, integrity, and excellence in the insurance industry, and designed to ensure that Ghana’s insurance practices align with internationally accepted best practices. The 5th edition of the awards event underscored CIIG’s commitment to driving sustained growth in the insurance industry, benefiting clients and raising the standards of insurance practices across Ghana.

Commenting on the milestone, Head of Claims at Serene Insurance, Daniel Otoo that “The recognition marks a proud moment for me, but more importantly, it reflects the collective support, teamwork, and leadership at Serene Insurance. I am reminded that our daily commitment to fairness, diligence, and professionalism in claims management truly makes an impact.

This award has strengthened my sense of purpose and renewed my motivation to continue upholding the highest standards of excellence, both for our clients and for the growth of Serene Insurance and the insurance industry at large”, Otoo reiterated.

In a related industry event, Serene Insurance, a member of the First Sky Group and a leading General Insurance Company, won the Best Growing Insurance Company for the second consecutive year under the General Insurance category at the 8th Ghana Insurance Awards held at the Labadi Beach Hotel early August, 2025.

The recognition comes on the back of impressive growth curve in its gross written premium, increasing underwriting profit, aggressive branch expansion, increasing agency and agents’ presence across the country, growing client size and improving claim settlement and volumes during the year (2024) under review.

The feat underpins the tenacity of Serene Insurance consolidating its respected reputation as a provider of reliable and cost-effective insurance products and services, tailored to address the needs of the insuring public, winning the Fastest Growing Insurance Company in Ghana in 2022.

Reflecting on the being recognised as the Best Growing Insurance for the second consecutive year, General Manager, Marketing & Business Development, Nana Yaw Dwomoh observed “this honour is a demonstration of the sacrifice and devotion underpinned by innovation, speed and agility to the delivery of insurance products and services within the country anchored on the belief of a satisfied client telling the good Serene Insurance story to others”.

This acknowledgement confirms desire to be the New Face of Insurance through strategic deployment of robust, competitive marketing models targeted in satisfying customer needs and meeting expectations as part of the broader objective to among the top-performing insurance companies in Ghana”, Dwomoh reiterated.

Chief Executive Officer of Serene Insurance Company Limited, Mercy Naa Koshie Boampong commended the visionary direction from the Board and the hardwork and loyalty of Management and Staff in consolidating the brand presence of the company as the New Face of Insurance as Serene Insurance’s growth path and laurels are unprecedented in the history of new entrants in the insurance ecosystem.

Serene Insurance since inception over seven years (7) ago as a key general business player in the industry, having been adjudged the Fastest Growing Insurance Company in 2022, Best Growing Insurance Company, CEO of the Year, Emerging Brand of the Year and CSR Leadership, all in 2024, has built and continued to build a privileged reputation as a provider of reliable and cost-effective insurance products and services that address the needs of the insuring public.

Serene Insurance’s unrivalled customer service, strong financial base, being one of the well capitalized players in the industry and inclusive product penetration among other innovations, has positioned it as the New Face of Insurance.