The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) has launched the GSE Over-the- Counter (OTC) market to assist in the buying and selling of securities (shares) not listed on the Stock Exchange.
The GSE Over-the-Counter (OTC) Market will function a platform for corporations and organisations, significantly Rural and Community Banks (RCBs), to purchase and promote their shares.
Speaking on the launch of OTC in Accra on Friday, the Managing Director of GSE, Ms Abena Amoah, stated the brand new product was a part of a broader technique outlined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, by its 10-year capital market grasp plan, to supply extra and numerous funding alternatives and improve liquidity and securities on the Ghanaian capital market.
She said that the product represented a serious achievement for the GSE and the Ghanaian capital market as a complete, being the inaugural regulated platform for buying and selling in public securities not listed on the inventory change.
“We want to provide a structured, transparent and efficient platform for trading of these securities because it will afford unlisted public companies visibility, trading opportunities, transparency and ease for their investors to transact, buy more or sell these securities,” she said.
Ms Amoah stated the introduction of the GSE OTC market was a testomony to the dedication of GSE to innovation, effectivity and offering unparalleled opportunities for elevating capital and for investments.
The OTC market, in line with her, would make it simpler to entry capital and stimulate financial progress, in addition to present help for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that won’t meet the itemizing necessities of the principle exchanges and, consequently, grow to be inconsequential to Ghana’s economic growth.
The Managing Director of the ARB Apex Bank, Mr Alex Kwasi Awuah, who was the visitor speaker, stated the OTC market offered a platform for the buying and selling of unlisted securities, with fewer regulatory necessities than conventional markets.
He stated the launch of the product marked the opening for all lively members of ARB Apex Bank to have interaction extra deeply in collaborating on the OTC buying and selling flooring on the GSE.
Mr Awuah stated the product would assist RCBs to boost brief, medium, and long-term funding to boost their general solvency and help the enlargement of their operations.
Mr Awuah stated RCBs had been conscious of the Regulatory and Legal challenges they needed to undergo in the event that they needed to be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), saying, “This will offer all active members of the 147 RCB fraternity the opportunity to undertake real time OTC trading in their shares.”
He stated the OTC wouldn’t solely present elevated liquidity for RCBs, but additionally assist to enhance their governance methods.
The Deputy Managing Director of SEC accountable for Legal, Mrs Mawusi Agyemfrah, counseled GSE for introducing the product.
She stated the OTC would supply buyers entry to a various vary of securities, significantly within the SMEs, which type the fiber of Ghana’s financial system.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE