By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Financial journalists have been urged to adopt compelling investment stories to redirect young people away from betting and toward gainful investing.
In a day’s training workshop by the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) with members of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) at the national capital on Friday, Edem Akpenyo, Managing Director for FirstBanC Brokerage Services Limited, observed that investing is often perceived as complex and intimidating for the average individual.
Speaking on the topic, “Demystifying corporate disclosures: Telling powerful stories from corporate announcements,” he emphasized that journalists have the power to demystify financial markets by interpreting corporate information in ways that resonate with readers and urged them to make full use of such a skill.
“A journalist’s well-honed storytelling skills could well be a tool for fostering an investment culture in a population, especially the youth, who may be more attracted now to betting but are the potential big investors of the future. The financial journalist has a call to use compelling investment-related stories to redirect the youth to the right paths,” said Akpenyo.
The FirstBanC MD emphasized that journalists could use good storytelling to change the narrative if they took the time to learn and understand the story, so they could tell it compellingly.
In a speech read on behalf of Mr. Frank Berle, Deputy Managing Director for the GSE, his outfit believes that strong, transparent, and timely communication is the lifeblood of any capital market.
He said, “Corporate disclosures are not just numbers or statutory filings; they are the stories of businesses—their challenges, opportunities, and journeys of growth. When these disclosures are well understood and well told, they build trust, guide investment decisions, and strengthen the link between companies and the investing public.”
Mr. Berle emphasized that the training programme was designed to deepen the understanding of financial journalists on corporate disclosures so they can go beyond the headlines and share stories that truly empower investors, businesses, and the public.
“With the right knowledge and tools, you can help demystify technical information and bring clarity, balance, and accuracy to financial reporting,” he added.
The Deputy MD emphasized that the GSE sees financial and economic journalists as critical partners in nation-building through the capital market.
He commended the media for the long-standing partnership with his outfit that spans more than three decades of reporting on their activities, helping to sensitize the public, and bringing visibility to the companies that have listed with the stock exchange.
Established in November 1990, the GSE provides an efficient securities market for national and economic development through access to capital and investment. Since its establishment, the GSE has facilitated the mobilization of capital by corporate bodies, businesses, and the government and provided a reliable platform for the trading of issued securities.
The GSE’s markets comprise the Main Market for large corporates, the Ghana Alternative Market (GAX), the Ghana Fixed Income Market (GFIM), the Green and Sustainable Bonds Market, the Commercial Paper Market, and the Over-the-Counter Market, which are ready to support the diversified capital-raising and investment needs of corporates and individuals. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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