By Edward Dankwah, GNA
Accra, Aug. 14, GNA – The Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration, strengthening ethics and promoting professionalism to build a resilient and trusted banking sector.
The commitment was made when the Governing Council of CIB Ghana paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the BoG, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, at the Bank Square in Accra.
A statement issued in Accra said the visit also provided an opportunity for the Institute to formally introduce its new leadership and express appreciation to the Governor for his leadership of the banking industry and support for CIB Ghana.
It said discussions during the engagement focused on raising standards of ethics and professionalism within the banking sector, as well as strengthening customer protection, cybersecurity, and fraud prevention.
The two institutions also discussed emerging issues, including digital assets, banking sector reforms, and the future of technology in the financial services industry.
It said particular attention was given to the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing in shaping the future of banking and financial services.
“Both institutions underscored the need for closer collaboration to address emerging risks and strengthen professional standards and human capital required to sustain public confidence in the banking sector,” it added.
The CIB Ghana Governing Council briefed the Governor on some of its key initiatives, including the Branch CEO Programme, Chartered Banker for Executive Leadership (CBEL) Programme and industry-wide ethics certification and fraud awareness campaigns.
The Institute also highlighted its research activities and other capacity-building initiatives designed to equip banking professionals with the knowledge and skills required to respond to emerging challenges.
Dr Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, the incoming President of CIB Ghana, said the new leadership would place renewed emphasis on ethics and professionalism as part of efforts to strengthen the banking profession.
She also outlined plans to rebuild the Bankers’ House and host a successful World Conference of Banking Institutes (WCBI) in Accra in 2028, saying the event would provide Ghana an opportunity to showcase its banking sector and professional education ecosystem.
Dr Ohene-Afoakwa said the conference would further demonstrate Africa’s contribution to global banking development and highlight how technology and innovation were redefining the future of banking.
Dr Asiama said banking professionals, like practitioners in other critical sectors, were expected to demonstrate competence, professionalism and ethical conduct in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He commended CIB Ghana for supporting the efforts of the BoG, the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) and other stakeholders to combat fraud and emerging risks that threatened the foundation of trust in the financial sector.
The Governor also outlined the Bank’s efforts to strengthen verification processes in the banking sector and ensure the successful implementation of community banking reforms, challenging CIB Ghana to extend its ethics and capacity-building programmes to community banking and the wider financial ecosystem.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo