The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has sworn into office the newly constituted Governing Council of Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana), led by its President and Chairperson, Dr. Mrs. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, FCIB. At the swearing-in ceremony, held at the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Accra, nine Council members took the oaths of office and secrecy in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana Act, 2019 (Act 991).

Minister’s charge to the Council

Conveying congratulations on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama to the Council, Hon. Iddrisu urged the Council to discharge its statutory mandate under Act 991 to promote professional excellence, strengthen ethical standards and respond to emerging challenges in Ghana’s banking sector.

He highlighted the Institute’s responsibilities under Act 991, including regulating professional banking practice, setting standards of knowledge, competence and conduct, administering professional examinations and promoting continuing professional development (CPD).

The Minister expressed his concern about the growing risks associated with Cybercrime, digital banking fraud and urged the Council to help strengthen the industry’s capacity to respond to these threats. “We expect that you will respond to the new emerging challenge of artificial intelligence and how that can impact on fraud associated with banking in Ghana,” he said.

He also called for greater attention to non-performing loans (NPLs), regulatory compliance and sound corporate governance, stressing that professional integrity must remain central to banking practice. “Ethics is fundamental to your calling, this is why bankers must provide accurate information, avoid fraud, uphold confidentiality and avoid discriminatory practices,” he said.

While acknowledging the banking sector’s improved resilience, Hon. Iddrisu challenged the Council to consider how those gains could be sustained through stronger governance, professional competence and responsible banking practices. He further emphasised the contribution of community banks to financial inclusion and the promotion of a savings culture, particularly in rural communities.

On financial education, the Minister requested that CIB Ghana advise the Ministry of Education on the feasibility of incorporating financial literacy into the national curriculum, including the appropriate level at which it should be introduced.

A future-ready profession

Responding on behalf of the Council, Dr. Mrs. Ohene-Afoakwa expressed appreciation to President Mahama and the Minister for the trust reposed in the Council, and the wider banking community for its confidence in the institute. She said that beyond providing strategic direction and oversight, the Council carries a larger responsibility “to help shape the future of the banking profession in Ghana” as technology, innovation and emerging risks redefine the industry.

The Council’s focus, she said, will be on strengthening professional standards, advancing capability in digital finance, promoting good governance and ethical leadership, and creating stronger pathways for the next generation of banking professionals. “Banking is ultimately more than just institutions and transactions. It is about enabling business to grow, supporting investments, creating opportunities and contributing to the economic progress of our country,” she said.

“Our ambition therefore is to build a profession that is future-ready, globally competitive, strong in integrity, competence and public trust,” she added.

Dr. Mrs. Ohene-Afoakwa acknowledged the Minister’s concerns over cyber fraud, digital fraud and NPLs, describing them as priorities that aligned closely with the Council’s agenda. Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, she said the Institute had already incorporated cybersecurity and virtual assets into its curriculum, alongside data analytics and green finance, to prepare banking professionals for the changing demands of the financial sector. She added that success for the Council would mean fewer fraud cases, ethical bankers who add value, and a workforce equipped to write sound credit and help reduce NPLs.

Mandatory CPD and a stronger talent pipeline

The Chief Executive Officer of CIB Ghana, Mr. Robert Dzato, FCIB, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to strengthening continuing professional development as a key requirement for maintaining professional competence. “To be a member in the institute going forward, it’s not just paying subscription, but you must take a certain minimum number of credit hours in a year to continue to maintain that status as a chartered banker,” he said.

Beyond technical skills, Mr. Dzato said the Institute is placing emphasis on leadership, soft and digital skills, with new content in areas such as virtual assets. It is also strengthening its faculty through training, new recruitment and teaching assistants, alongside digital learning platforms.

The institute is working on the pipeline into the industry as well, through its university-level banking and ethics programmes and support for financial literacy in secondary schools.

As part of its efforts to promote professional excellence and address emerging industry challenges, CIB Ghana will hold its 30th National Banking and Ethics Conference on the 9th and 10th November 2026, under the theme “Trust, Technology and Transformation.”

The Minister for Education has confirmed his participation in the conference, which will feature masterclasses and discussions on digital assets, artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, professional ethics and public trust. The Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations are also expected to participate.

Members of the Governing Council, 2026

About Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana)

Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana) is the statutory professional body established under Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana Act, 2019 (Act 991) to promote the study of banking and regulate the practice of the banking profession in Ghana. Since its establishment in 1963, the Institute has played a central role in developing trusted professionals for the financial sector, with a strong emphasis on ethics, professionalism and leadership.