Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit Ghana in her capacity as United Nations Secretary General's Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA) from the evening of November 2 to November 5, 2026. During her visit, Queen Máxima is expected to highlight the importance of financial health in Ghana. The Queen's visit is a significant event, and her role as UNSGSA underscores the importance of financial health globally.
Queen Máxima's visit to Ghana comes at a time when the country is grappling with various economic challenges. Ghana's impact investing market has reached US$2.78 billion, nearly three times previous estimates of about US$1 billion. However, the country's small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still face a significant financing gap of US$21.1 billion. The Queen's visit is expected to shed light on these issues and explore ways to address them.
The Queen's advocacy for financial health is focused on promoting access to financial services, particularly for vulnerable populations. As UNSGSA, Queen Máxima works to raise awareness about the importance of financial health and to mobilize stakeholders to take action. Her visit to Ghana is part of her efforts to engage with governments, civil society, and the private sector to promote financial health.
Ghana has been making progress in various sectors, including business and entrepreneurship. The Ghana Enterprise Brands Awards (GEBA) 2026 is set to celebrate Ghana's leading businesses, outstanding brands, and accomplished entrepreneurs on December 4, 2026. This event recognizes the contributions of businesses and entrepreneurs to Ghana's economy.
The country's pharmaceutical industry is also expected to benefit from government initiatives. The government aims to expand domestic medicine production, attract capital into the industry, and position Ghana as a manufacturing and export hub for West Africa. Africa's annual pharmaceutical import bill is over US$14 billion, presenting an investment opportunity for Ghana.
In addition to these developments, various organizations have been working to promote sustainability and social responsibility in Ghana. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Fire and Safety Team and LCB Worldwide Ghana Football Team have emerged as champions of the 2026 LCB Corporate Games. These events promote teamwork and healthy competition among organizations.
Finally, experts have emphasized the importance of gender equity in project management. Ing. Dr. Mrs. Enyonam Kpekpena, Executive Director of the Ghana Institution of Engineers, has urged government and stakeholders to practice gender equity to ensure greater dividends at the end of projects. This call for gender equity is an important consideration for Ghana's development.
Key points
- Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit Ghana from November 2-5, 2026, as United Nations Secretary General's Special Advocate for Financial Health.
- Ghana's impact investing market has reached US$2.78 billion, but SMEs still face a significant financing gap of US$21.1 billion.
- The government aims to position Ghana as a manufacturing and export hub for West Africa's pharmaceutical industry, which has an annual import bill of over US$14 billion.
