The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of capital structure on profitability of commercial banks in Ghana. The study used a sample of 21 commercial banks over the period 2000–2014 using panel corrected standard errors and two‐stage least‐squares estimation approaches. The results show that bank capital structure measured as capital‐to‐asset ratio is a robust and positive driver of bank performance (profitability) measures (return on assets and net interest margin). Additionally, the results further indicate that share of customer demand deposit positively affects bank profitability. The positive relationship between the capital‐to‐asset ratio and performance provides support for the bank capitalization policy implemented by the Bank of Ghana. Also, the findings provide evidence in support of the recent upsurge in bank short‐term deposit mobilization strategies and promotions by commercial banks in the country to enhance their deposit base.

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This study explores the relationship between financial market development and choice of finance (debt-equity) of listed firms in Ghana in a panel data framework.The core concern of this study is to test whether debt and equity finance are complements or substitutes. The study used panel data which involves pooling of twenty-one listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) over the period [1995][1996][1997][1998][1999][2000][2001][2002][2003][2004][2005]. The study finds evidence of complementarity between banking and stock market developments in financing decisions of listed firms in Ghana. The stock market development is indicated to have a positive effect on the capital structure decisions of listed firms. However, substitution effect between debt and equity mainly in favour of equity financing sets in as the financial landscape develops further. This finding emphasises the important role equity markets in developing countries play in capital structure of listed firms.

This study examined the relationship between corporate governance attributes, firm-specific characteristics, and financing decisions of listed firms in Ghana using panel data for a nine-year time frame spanning 2011 to 2019. The study adopted multivariate regression analysis using Prais-Winsten regression, correlated panels corrected standard errors (PCSEs). The findings show that corporate board structures in Ghana play a significant role in influencing the financing decisions of listed firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Specifically, corporate boards with bigger sizes and more female representation prefer more debt financing of their assets. Also, the findings provide support for the Pecking Order Theory and identifiable firm-specific determinants of financing decision of listed firms. The evidence provided by this study is robust to alternative estimators. The outcome of this study further provides strong policy support for enforcing proper corporate governance features and gender diversity dimensions for corporations in Ghana.