The Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI) has introduced its latest initiative aimed at reforming Ghana’s inheritance and beneficiary systems; The Next of Kin Project during the third edition of its annual Skills Summit. 
The event, held in collaboration with the University of Education, Winneba, brought together students, academia, and community members to equip students with skills necessary for the gig economy; it was also an opportunity to discuss pressing issues around property rights and financial access.
Organizers of the event noted that, the Next of Kin research is an evidence-based proposals that highlight systemic weaknesses in the country’s inheritance framework. These weaknesses, they argue, often leave families unable to access funds left behind by deceased relatives, perpetuating cycles of poverty and financial exclusion.
ILAPI Vice President Ebenezer De-Gaulle, leading an interactive session with the public exploring the role of “Next of Kin” in securing property rights and reducing family poverty noted that, the word “inheritance” appears frequently in submissions from students, reflecting both the relevance of the issue and the urgency for reform.
“Inheritance and property rights are connected, like central to breaking cycles of family poverty. There is the need for practical solutions that can be translated into policy,” He emphasized.
De-Gaulle, also drew attention to ILAPI’s ongoing research into dormant and unclaimed financial assets, describing them as a growing concern for the country’s financial system. “Between January 2021 and July 2024, more than 1.4 million dormant accounts were transferred to the Bank of Ghana. Over the longer period from 2016 to 2024, unclaimed balances reached GH₵167.8 million, alongside USD14.6 million, GBP2.4 million, and EUR2.3 million. These figures, he argued, underscore the scale of the problem and the need for reforms that ensure families can claim what rightfully belongs to them,” He disclosed.
The Next of Kin Project also features an essay competition, which has already sparked notable interest among young people. Officially opened to individuals aged 18 to 45, the contest has nonetheless attracted contributions from younger students.
“It is inspiring to see 16 and 17 year-olds expressing interest,” De-Gaulle remarked. “Their enthusiasm demonstrates the importance of engaging the next generation in conversations about financial rights and responsibilities,” He added.
The Executive Director of ILAPI, Peter Bismark, also stressed that the project is not only about raising awareness but also producing practical policy recommendations, by way of encouraging research, debate, and creative proposals.
According to him, “ILAPI hopes to address the financial and social costs of unclaimed assets while promoting reforms that strengthen inheritance systems and protect families across Ghana.”
With over 1,108 participants at the Skills Summit, individuals expressed concerns about assets left at the banks belonging to their deceased relatives. “My father died as a gold miner and we couldn’t trace any of his financial savings and investments because we were ignorant about this” a participant said.
In another statement made by a participant, “this is an eye-opener for me. My family must start following up on our deceased relatives accounts. I have never heard anything of such in my family.”
