UBA Ghana Empowers UESD Students with Financial Literacy Push

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ghana has launched a financial literacy outreach programme at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya, equipping students with practical money management skills and strategies to build long-term financial security. The initiative, delivered in partnership with development organisation Drive to Inspire-Africa, brought banking professionals directly to campus to share real-world insights on personal finance and wealth creation.

Elvis Dan-Sekyi, Head of Channels and Distribution at UBA Ghana, spearheaded the session titled "Money Moves: Secure Your Future," presenting a three-pillar framework for financial success among young people. The framework centres on building consistent savings habits, understanding investment fundamentals, and developing multiple income streams—principles designed to apply immediately to students' lives rather than theoretical concepts alone.

Three Essential Money Moves for Young Ghanaians

Dan-Sekyi's approach emphasises that financial wealth begins with personal investment. He urged students to prioritise skills development, formal education, professional networking, and character building as foundational assets that directly increase earning potential and create opportunities. This philosophy reflects a growing recognition in Ghana's financial services sector that sustainable wealth creation requires both technical financial knowledge and human capital development.

The three core recommendations presented were:

• Develop disciplined savings habits early, creating financial buffers and emergency funds
• Learn investment basics to grow money beyond traditional savings accounts
• Build diversified income sources to reduce financial vulnerability

Dan-Sekyi highlighted that continuous learning and self-development remain among the most valuable long-term investments available to young people, directly influencing their capacity to generate income and create sustainable opportunities throughout their careers.

Why This Matters for Ghana

Financial literacy remains a critical gap in Ghana's education system. While universities provide technical training, practical money management skills are often absent from formal curricula. Programmes like this fill that void at a crucial life stage—when students are beginning to earn, borrow and make independent financial decisions. Early exposure to banking services and sound financial principles can shape lifelong habits that contribute to broader economic stability.

Drive to Inspire-Africa, the partnering NGO, works specifically with teenagers and young adults—particularly young women—to build confidence, ambition and access to opportunities. This collaboration with UBA reflects how private sector institutions are increasingly investing in youth development beyond profit-making, recognising that financial inclusion and literacy strengthen communities and create future customers with stable financial foundations.

For UESD students specifically, the outreach held particular relevance. As future environmental and sustainability professionals, these students will shape Ghana's approach to sustainable development. Equipping them with personal financial security enables them to pursue impact-driven careers without being constrained by immediate financial desperation, ultimately benefiting both their individual trajectories and Ghana's broader development agenda.

Practical Banking Access Added

Beyond the educational session, UBA Ghana used the visit to facilitate account opening for interested students, translating financial knowledge into immediate banking access. This removes a practical barrier many young Ghanaians face when trying to formalise their finances. Having a registered bank account opens doors to digital payments, loan eligibility, savings accounts with interest, and full participation in Ghana's formal financial system.

The programme underscores UBA Ghana's stated commitment to youth empowerment as part of its broader corporate strategy. As Ghana's financial sector expands, such initiatives help ensure young people are equipped to navigate banking products responsibly and build wealth systematically, contributing to both individual prosperity and national economic resilience.