By Grace Zigah
In a major step toward advancing digital financial literacy, the Bank of Ghana has officially launched the National Virtual Asset Literacy Initiative (NaVALI), a program aimed at educating the public and strengthening institutional capacity on virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based technologies.
The launch took place at the Bank Square in Accra on Friday, January 23, 2026, with the participation of top regulators, industry leaders, academics, and knowledge partners.
The initiative comes in the wake of Ghana’s Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, a landmark legislation passed in late 2025 that established a regulatory framework for virtual asset activities in the country. Under the Act, the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are designated as the primary regulators, tasked with operationalising the law and mitigating risks associated with digital financial products.
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, highlighted that while regulatory frameworks are necessary, their effectiveness depends on the readiness of the wider financial ecosystem.
“Effective regulation and enforcement cannot be achieved by regulators alone,” he stated, emphasizing the need for public education, consumer protection, and industry preparedness as essential components of a safe digital economy.
Understanding before undertaking
NaVALI is anchored on a guiding principle: “understand before you undertake”. Its core objective is to equip Ghanaians with a clear understanding of virtual assets, the underlying technologies, potential risks, and best practices for safe engagement.
Dr. Asiama stressed that literacy is the foundation for a secure and inclusive digital financial ecosystem.
The initiative targets two main outcomes:
Institutional capacity building – strengthening knowledge on virtual assets and enabling technologies such as blockchain, to enhance regulatory oversight, supervision, and policy formulation.
Public awareness – promoting nationwide understanding of the risks and implications of virtual assets, discouraging uninformed adoption and risky behaviour.
A collaborative Approach
The Bank of Ghana is leading NaVALI in partnership with the SEC and key knowledge partners from academia and industry. Dr. Asiama commended the Virtual Asset Regulatory Office and stakeholders who contributed to the program, noting that successful implementation would require ongoing collaboration between regulators, industry players, educators, civil society, and the media.
The initiative includes educational programs, workshops, and resources aimed at demystifying virtual assets, clarifying regulatory obligations, and providing guidance for both consumers and businesses considering entry into the digital financial space.
Addressing the Ghanaian public, Dr. Asiama urged citizens to participate actively, learn, ask questions, and engage responsibly with virtual assets.
“Financial innovation can only serve national development when it is anchored in knowledge, trust, and accountability,” he said.
He concluded by framing NaVALI not as an end but as the foundation for sustained innovation, consumer protection, and safe engagement with virtual assets. By building knowledge and capacity, the initiative aims to ensure that the digital financial sector develops in a way that is both inclusive and resilient, positioning the country as a forward-looking hub for safe digital finance in the region.
