All Countries and All Sectors

While the insurance penetration rate in Ghana stands at just 2-3%, authorities are currently in the process of putting into place the institutions necessary to increase awareness of insurance policies and capitalise the market. The sector is made up of 41 insurers, 23 non-life and 18 life. The non-life segment is driven primarily by motor insurance, which is the main source of profit for the...

Ghana has a relatively active banking sector, with 27 universal banks, 135 rural banks and 49 non-bank financial institutions, including leasing firms, mortgage providers, and savings and loan institutions. The contribution of the banking and insurance sectors to GDP has risen steadily in recent years, from 2.7% of GDP in 2006 to 5.2% in 2010. Deposits have also been on the rise, increasing from...

In just the past few years, Ghana’s economy has undergone major transformations and has been shaped by a number of encouraging trends, including a rising per capita income, increased capital spending, higher commodities prices and an improved government fiscus. The economy grew by 14.4% in real terms in 2011, the highest rate of growth recorded worldwide that year. Much of this was due to the...

This chapter takes a look at Ghana’s history, trade relations and its impact on the regional and global stage. This chapter contains interviews with Mahatir Mohammad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia; Stephen O’Brien, UK Under-Secretary of State for International Development; and viewpoints from President President John Dramani Mahama and Fernando Pimentel, Brazilian Minister of Development,...

This section includes an article about Songkran, the Thai water festival celebrating the New Year, as well as a feature about the tranquil and historic city of Kanchanaburi. OBG also offers information on hotels, government and other listings, alongside useful tips for visitors on topics like currency, visas, language, communications, dress, business hours and electricity.

In partnership with Tilleke & Gibbons, OBG takes a look at Thailand’s legal system. Key points include revised investment incentives and new tax breaks for foreign companies, as well as the impact of new free trade agreements. Darani Vachanavuttivong, Co-Managing Partner and Managing Director of Intellectual Property (IP) at Tilleke & Gibbins, offers a viewpoint on the importance of IP rights.