Bank of Ghana and CIB Ghana partner to strengthen banking ethics, fraud prevention, and innovation`

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB Ghana) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ethics, professionalism, and collaboration across Ghana's banking industry as part of efforts to build a more resilient, secure, and trusted financial sector.

The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of CIB Ghana to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, at the Bank Square in Accra on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The visit also served as an opportunity for the Institute's newly elected leadership to formally introduce itself to the Governor while expressing appreciation for his leadership in steering Ghana's banking sector through ongoing reforms and emerging challenges.

Discussions during the meeting centred on strengthening ethical standards, improving professionalism within the banking industry, enhancing customer protection, and intensifying efforts to combat fraud and cybercrime.

Both institutions acknowledged that rapid technological advancements are transforming the financial services industry, making it increasingly important for regulators and banking professionals to adapt to new risks and opportunities.

Among the key issues discussed were:

• Strengthening ethics and professional standards in banking.
• Enhancing cybersecurity and fraud prevention mechanisms.
• Customer protection and financial sector integrity.
• Banking sector reforms.
• Digital assets and financial innovation.
• The growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing in the future of banking.

The Bank of Ghana and CIB Ghana agreed that closer institutional collaboration is essential to addressing these emerging challenges while ensuring the sector remains stable, innovative and globally competitive.

During the engagement, the Governing Council briefed the Governor on several flagship initiatives aimed at improving competence and professionalism within Ghana's financial services sector.

Among the programmes highlighted were the Branch CEO Programme, the Chartered Banker for Executive Leadership (CBEL) Programme, industry-wide ethics certification initiatives, nationwide anti-fraud awareness campaigns, and ongoing banking research projects.

According to the Institute, these initiatives are designed to produce highly skilled, ethical and future-ready banking professionals capable of navigating the evolving financial landscape.

Incoming President of CIB Ghana, Dr. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, outlined the Institute's strategic vision, which prioritises raising ethical standards across the industry, rebuilding the Bankers' House, and successfully hosting the 2028 World Conference of Banking Institutes (WCBI) in Accra.

Ghana's selection to host the prestigious international conference is expected to provide a significant platform to showcase the country's banking sector, professional education system, financial innovation, and growing influence within the global banking community.

The conference is also expected to highlight Africa's increasing contribution to shaping the future of banking through technology, innovation and regulatory excellence.

Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama emphasised that banking professionals, like practitioners in critical sectors such as healthcare, must consistently demonstrate competence, integrity, professionalism and ethical conduct.

He commended CIB Ghana for supporting the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), and other industry stakeholders in tackling fraud, strengthening governance, and safeguarding public confidence in the financial system.

The Governor also outlined the central bank's ongoing efforts to enhance verification processes within the banking industry and ensure the successful implementation of community banking reforms.

He encouraged the Institute to broaden its ethics training and professional development programmes to include community banks and other financial institutions operating within Ghana's wider financial ecosystem.

The meeting concluded with both institutions reaffirming their shared commitment to building a banking sector anchored on integrity, professionalism, innovation and resilience.

They expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between regulators and professional bodies will help strengthen public trust, improve governance standards, enhance financial stability, and support Ghana's long-term economic growth.