The Association of African Sustainability Practitioners (AASuP) has opened the 6th Africa Sustainability Report and Think Energy SDGs Awards 2025, a two-day gathering focused on accelerating the continent’s progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event, which convened policymakers, academics, private-sector leaders and development partners on day one, spotlighted critical areas including Climate Action (SDG 13), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9). This year’s theme “A Decade of SDGs in Africa: Resetting Our Climate Goals for Agenda 2030” calls for renewed urgency as the 2030 deadline draws closer.
AASuP President Humphrey Tetteh urged the banking sector to elevate scrutiny of financial flows linked to illegal mining, noting its growing threat to national sustainability efforts. He argued that stronger monitoring systems are needed to disrupt the networks that fund galamsey operations.
“Money is the bottom line of all these things,” he said. “Excavators and other equipment are not purchased with pocket money. The banking sector must tighten its checks.”
Representing the Bank of Ghana, Assistant Director of Bank Examination, Owusu Ankoma, reiterated the Central Bank’s commitment to advancing sustainability within the financial industry. He noted ongoing engagements with bank boards on Ghana’s sustainable banking principles and climate-related financial risk directives, as well as the establishment of a Climate and Sustainability Office to support financial stability.
In the extractive sector, the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) highlighted its newly developed ESG policy designed to strengthen responsible investment oversight. Head of Legal, Louisa Quacoe, said the policy enforces performance standards covering labour practices, pollution prevention, community safety, land acquisition, biodiversity and resource management.
The event will conclude with an awards ceremony celebrating individuals and institutions championing sustainability and driving progress on the SDGs across Africa.
