Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, has visited the Bank of Ghana as part of efforts to advance discussions on improving the financial well-being of individuals and businesses.
Her visit on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, featured a Financial Health Leadership Roundtable at the Bank Square, bringing together representatives from government, financial institutions, regulatory bodies and development partners.
Welcoming the Queen, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama said her presence reflected the importance of global leadership and collaboration in advancing financial inclusion and financial health.
“On behalf of Management and staff of the Bank of Ghana, I warmly welcome you all to the Bank this morning. A special welcome to Your Majesty, Queen Máxima, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health. We are honoured by your presence and grateful for your longstanding leadership in advancing financial inclusion and, more recently, financial health around the world,” he said.
Dr. Asiama said the broad representation at the meeting demonstrated growing recognition that improving financial health required collective action.
“I must say that, the breadth of representation here reflects a growing recognition that improving financial health for individuals and businesses requires collective action,” he added.
The discussions focused on how innovation could improve financial health, expand access to productive credit for businesses and underserved groups, and strengthen savings, insurance and long-term financial resilience.
The Governor said financial health was influenced by several factors, including savings, insurance, pensions, investment opportunities and financial literacy.
He also highlighted the need to ensure that financial services deliver better outcomes for households and businesses, rather than focusing solely on expanding access.
The roundtable brought together stakeholders from the financial sector, government, development institutions and industry to consider practical solutions to the challenges.
Dr. Asiama urged participants to use the engagement to identify barriers and agree on concrete commitments.
“If we leave this room with a clear set of priorities, this Roundtable will have achieved its purpose,” he said.
He thanked Queen Máxima for her commitment to the financial health agenda and her visit to Ghana.
