A top financial expert has challenged Ghana’s youth to redirect their focus from betting to investing, describing it as a more sustainable path to wealth creation.

Mr Edem Akpenyo, the Managing Director of FirstBanC Brokerage Services Limited, offered this advice during a training programme organised by the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) in collaboration with the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) on August 22, 2025.

He stressed that with the right approach, even small investments can grow significantly over time, providing a more secure and rewarding future than the high-risk, low-reward world of betting.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event with MyJoyOnline, Mr. Akpenyo encouraged young people to re-evaluate how they use their money.

He said, "Interest is growing, is growing, is growing; one day, that small money that you tossed, that you might have just lost in a bet, would have grown to something significant, and that would impact positively in the future."

Acknowledging the ease of access that betting companies have achieved through technology, Mr. Akpenyo noted that the GSE is "quickly catching up".

He highlighted recent technology investments by the exchange that have enabled some Licensed Dealing Members (LDMs) and companies to launch mobile platforms.

These platforms now allow individuals to easily invest money that they might have otherwise spent on betting.

Mr. Akpenyo emphasised that the GSE is broadening its market to offer a variety of options, stating, "If somebody thinks that, oh, I can't go and do fixed income, you can do shares. If you cannot do shares, you can do something else."

He pointed to the diverse range of investment opportunities available, including commercial paper and fixed income markets, as well as the Ghana Alternative Market (GAX) for small and medium-sized companies.

He added that the GSE is working hard to increase the number of listed companies, giving investors more choice.

When asked about the future of the market, Mr. Akpenyo expressed strong optimism.

The event coincided with the release of impressive market performance figures. As of August 21, 2025, the GSE Composite Index recorded a strong year-to-date return of 50.08%, while the Financial Stock Index advanced by 43.30%.

In the Ghana Fixed Income Market (GFIM), trading volume reached 143.21 billion by August 20, 2025, a significant 51.33% increase over the same period last year.

Mr. Akpenyo explained that performance is the key driver of the GSE, with investors looking at a company’s figures, potential for paying dividends, and overall performance.

He cited the performance of companies like MTN and noted that some have seen year-to-date growth of over 300% as of June, thanks to a more favourable interest rate environment that has allowed them to expand.

"I am very optimistic that this year is going to end very well," Mr. Akpenyo said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we close the year 60, 70 percent."

At the workshop, Mr Akpenyo urged financial and economic journalists to go beyond reporting raw data and instead "demystify corporate disclosures" to tell powerful, impactful stories that empower investors.

He described a journalist's storytelling skills as a powerful tool for fostering an investment culture among the youth, whom he identified as potential "big investors of the future" despite their current attraction to betting.

The presentation outlined key sources of corporate information for journalists, including earnings reports, SEC filings, and sustainability reports. It also provided strategies for crafting compelling investment stories, such as:
• Data-Driven Storytelling: Using visuals like charts and infographics to simplify financial trends.
• Contextualising Financial Performance: Explaining how macroeconomic factors like the cedi's performance impact a company's prospects.
• Humanising Corporate Narratives: Featuring interviews with company directors, CEOs, and analysts to add a personal dimension to the story.
• Behavioural Finance Techniques: Presenting data in a way that emphasises long-term gains over short-term volatility and highlighting case studies of successful investors.

Mr. Akpenyo urged journalists to see their work as a "national duty" to draw the youth away from betting and into meaningful investment.

He also stressed the importance of ethical considerations, advising journalists to avoid sensationalism, ensure accuracy, and be transparent in their reportage.