The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed local fund managers to reduce offshore investments to protect the cedi and strengthen macroeconomic stability.

Ghana, a major gold and cocoa producer, is emerging from its most severe economic crisis in decades, and it is expected to complete a three-year IMF support programme in August.

The SEC said in a circular late on Friday that, with immediate effect, local fund managers will not be allowed to invest more than 20% of their funds under management in foreign securities.

Funds that were previously allowed to invest all their money offshore will now be limited to 70%.

Any investment in foreign securities may be made only in countries that share information with Ghana's SEC, the regulator said.