Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana holds 29th National Banking and Ethics Conference

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana has successfully wrapped up the 29th National Banking and Ethics Conference at its auditorium in Accra, bringing together top regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders under the theme ‘Building Future-Ready Banks: Ethical Leadership, Sustainable Finance, and Currency Stability amid Disruption’.

The conference, one of the country’s foremost platforms for dialogue on ethical and sustainable finance, also saw the launch of two major professional programmes — the Ethics 2.0 Programme and the Non-Interest Banking and Finance Certification Programme — aimed at strengthening ethics, competence, and sustainability within Ghana’s financial system.

Renewed commitment to ethics and professionalism

In his welcome address, Mr. Benjamin Amenumey, FCIB, President of CIB Ghana, reaffirmed the Institute’s statutory mandate under Act 991 (2019) to promote the study and practice of banking in Ghana. He noted that ethics and professionalism remain the foundation of a resilient financial system. “Banking is first and foremost a trust profession. Where trust is strong, stability is possible. Where trust is weak, the system is at risk,” Mr. Amenumey noted.

He revealed that over 9,000 banking professionals had already completed the earlier Ethics 1.0 Programme, developed jointly with the Bank of Ghana (BoG), and that Ethics 2.0 would expand this framework to all levels of the banking profession, including executives and board members. He added that, in accordance with a new directive from the central bank, all banking staff would now be required to obtain CIB’s ethics certification, while branch managers must attain the Chartered Banker (ACIB) qualification within the next five years. The Non-Interest Banking and Finance Certification, he explained, reflects the Institute’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s evolving financial landscape by promoting ethical, inclusive, and Sharia-compliant financial services.

Presentations from the Bank of Ghana and Ministry of Education

In a keynote address, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) – in a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Banking Supervision Department at the Bank, Mr. Ismail Adam –commended the CIB for its leadership in fostering professionalism and ethical discipline across the industry.

He cautioned that while Ghana’s financial system has become more stable, ethical lapses and fraud remain serious threats to public confidence. “Unethical practices remain widespread, with staff-related fraud on the rise. These issues threaten institutional integrity and underscore the need for stronger ethical frameworks and accountability,” Dr. Asiama stated.

He reaffirmed that the Ethics Certification Programme will be integrated into the BoG’s fit-and-proper assessment criteria for senior managers and board members, signalling the regulator’s commitment to deepening professional integrity within the financial sector.

Delivering the Special Guest of Honour address, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, commended the Institute’s ongoing partnership with the central bank and called for a fully independent BoG to safeguard monetary policy integrity. He further urged banks not to allow themselves to be used as conduits for unethical financial practices, stressing that “many of the unethical and corrupt monies in this country pass through the banking system.”

He noted that the Ministry of Education was collaborating with CIB Ghana and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) to integrate financial ethics and literacy into Ghana’s educational framework to nurture integrity and responsibility among future professionals.

Panels on regulation, practice, and digital finance

The conference also featured a series of thought-provoking panel sessions and expert discussions. The first plenary, dubbed the Practitioners and Professionals Panel, was on the topic ‘The Future of Banking: Ethical Leadership and Sustainability of Revenue, Business and Operating Models of Banks’, and was moderated by Ms. Abena Asare-Menako, ACIB.

Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke, President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI); Dr. Stephane Nwolley, CEO and Founder of Npontu Technologies; Mr. Sina Kamagate, Executive Head of Retail Banking at GCB Bank PLC; and Mr. Robert Dzato, ACIB, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, were the panellists.

Discussions focused on how banks can adapt their revenue and operating models to remain competitive in a dynamic market while embedding ethics and sustainability at the core of decision-making. The panellists highlighted the need for values-driven leadership, digital innovation, and governance reforms as essential ingredients for building resilient and future-ready financial institutions.

The second session, a Regulatory Panel held at 12:35 p.m. on the topic ‘Maintaining Stability of Currency in an Era of Digital Asset Disruptions’, brought together leading figures from the central bank, fintech, and the wider banking industry. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Bernard Avle, General Manager of Citi FM/TV, and featured Mr. Ismail Adams, Head of Banking Supervision Department at the Bank of Ghana; Mr. Philip Twum, ACIB, Head of Business Development at FIDO; Mr. John Awuah, CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB); and Mrs. Doris Yaa Aggrey Ahiati, FCIB, CEO of Crescendo Consult Ltd.

The panellists examined the complex balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding currency stability in an increasingly digital financial landscape. They discussed the implications of cryptocurrency and virtual asset activities on monetary policy, financial regulation, and consumer protection. The session underscored the central bank’s commitment to developing a clear regulatory framework for digital assets, while industry leaders highlighted the need for responsible innovation, stronger cybersecurity systems, and coordinated oversight to preserve public confidence in the financial system.

Shaping the future of ethical banking

In his closing remarks, Mr. Benjamin Amenumey noted that the 29th National Banking and Ethics Conference was not merely an annual tradition but a reaffirmation of shared values and professional responsibility. “We gather not merely for discussion, but to renew a shared commitment, to build banks that are trusted, to raise leaders who act with integrity, and to shape a financial system that serves Ghana with excellence and honour,” he said.

The 2025 edition of the conference consolidated CIB Ghana’s leadership in shaping the future of banking professionalism in Ghana and across West Africa. By focusing on ethics, technology, and sustainable finance, the Institute continues to build a community of trusted bankers who can drive financial inclusion and long-term economic stability.

About the Chartered Institute of Bankers Ghana

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana is the professional body for the banking and financial services industry. Guided by the values of Honesty and Integrity, the Institute is dedicated to developing competent, ethical, and professional bankers who contribute to the growth and stability of Ghana’s financial system.