Ghana Stock Exchange - History and Operations

History and Operations

Since its inception, the GSE's listings have been included in the main index, the GSE All-Share Index. In 1993, the GSE was the sixth best index performing emerging stock market, with a capital appreciation of 116%. In 1994 it was the best index performing stock market among all emerging markets, gaining 124.3% in its index level. 1995's index growth was a disappointing 6.3%, partly because of high inflation and interest rates. Growth of the index for 1997 was 42%, and at the end of 1998 it was 868.35 (see the 1998 Review for more information). As of October 2006 the market capitalization of the Ghana Stock Exchange was about 111,500 billion cedis ($11.5 billion). As of December 31 2007, the GSE's market capitalization was 131,633.22 billion cedis. In 2007, the index appreciated by 31.84% (see the "Publications" section on the GSE's website for more information).

The manufacturing and brewing sectors currently dominate the exchange. A distant third is the banking sector while other listed companies fall into the insurance, mining and petroleum sectors. Most of the listed companies on the GSE are Ghanaian but there are some multinationals.

Although non-resident investors can deal in securities listed on the exchange without obtaining prior exchange control permission, there are some restrictions on portfolio investors not resident in Ghana. The current limits on all types of non-resident investor holdings (be they institutional or individual) are as follows: a single investor (i.e. one who is not a Ghanaian and who lives outside the country) is allowed to hold up to 10% of every equity. Secondly, for every equity, foreign investors may hold up to a cumulative total of 74% (in special circumstances, this limit may be waived). The limits also exclude trade in Ashanti Goldfields shares. These restrictions were abolished by the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 723).

There is a 8% withholding tax on dividend income for all investors. Capital gains on securities listed on the exchange will remain exempt from tax until 2015. The exemption of capital gains applies to all investors on the exchange. There are no exchange control regulations on the remittance of original investment capital, capital gains, dividends, interest payments, returns and other related earnings.

Potential changes at the exchange include the introduction of automated trading and the listing of some state banks. The Bank of Ghana plans the development of mutual funds, unit trusts and municipal bonds at a subsequent date. These changes are aimed at making the exchange more relevant, efficient and effective. The exchange was also involved in preparing the draft law on collective investment vehicles.