NaVALI launched in Ashanti to deepen public education on virtual assets
The Ashanti Regional chapter of the National Virtual Assets Literacy Initiative (NaVALI) has been launched at the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) in Kumasi to deepen public awareness and protect consumers against digital financial risks.
The nationwide public education campaign, being implemented through a joint collaboration between the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is being rolled out under the theme: ‘Understand Before You Undertake.’
The launch brought together regulatory leaders and industry experts, including the Acting Head of the Fintech and Innovation Department at the BoG, Owureku Asare, and the Acting Deputy Director-General (Finance) at the SEC, Emmanuel Mensah Thompson.
They addressed participants on the importance of regulatory oversight and consumer protection as digital finance and virtual assets continued to gain attention.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of USTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo, the Dean of the Faculty of Technical Education; Prof. Humphrey Danso, described the collaboration between the regulators as an important national initiative founded on knowledge, responsibility and public safety.
Prof. Sarfo said in an era of rapid digital innovation, an informed citizenry remained the strongest safeguard against financial deception and an important driver of economic growth.
He noted that every major technological advancement in history, from electricity to the internet, had brought both significant economic opportunities and risks for consumers who lacked adequate information.
“Today, virtual assets, blockchain technology, and digital finance represent another major transformation in the global economy. The question is no longer whether virtual assets exist, but whether our citizens possess the knowledge needed to navigate this new environment wisely and safely,” he explained.
Prof. Sarfo stressed that NaVALI was not intended either to promote the adoption of virtual assets or discourage participation in digital finance.
Rather, he said, the initiative sought to address speculation and misinformation to enable citizens to make informed financial decisions.
“If people decide to participate in digital finance, they should do so from a position of knowledge rather than speculation. If they choose not to, that decision should equally be based on understanding. Education empowers choice; ignorance limits it,” he noted.
Highlighting USTED’s role in the campaign, the Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to producing digitally responsible graduates, ethical entrepreneurs and leaders capable of navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He cautioned that when technological advancement outpaced public education, society became vulnerable to exploitation.
Conversely, he mentioned, society stood to benefit when education kept pace with innovation.
Moreover, Prof. Sarfo commended the BoG, SEC, government agencies and industry stakeholders for combining their institutional and regulatory strengths to advance financial literacy across the region.
He said such collaboration was important to ensuring that the growing use of digital financial technologies was matched by adequate public knowledge and responsible decision-making.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
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