Haruna Iddrisu inaugurates new Governing Council of Chartered Institute of Bankers

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has officially inaugurated the new Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB), Ghana, to oversee the professional standards of the nation's banking sector. The new council is led by Dr. Mrs. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa and is tasked with steering the institute toward higher levels of professional excellence and digital competence. During the ceremony, the Minister emphasized the critical role of the council in regulating banking practices and ensuring that practitioners uphold the highest levels of integrity in their operations.

Iddrisu highlighted the pressing need for the institute to address contemporary challenges, particularly the rise of cybercrime and the increasing sophistication of financial fraud driven by artificial intelligence. He called for a renewed focus on banking ethics, noting that public trust remains the foundation of a stable financial system. The Minister also urged the council to work toward enhancing financial literacy within the broader educational sector, ensuring that future professionals are equipped with both technical skills and a strong ethical framework.

In her acceptance remarks, Dr. Mrs. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa acknowledged the significant responsibilities placed on the new council. She pledged to tackle persistent industry issues, including the high rate of non-performing loans and the necessity of adapting to emerging technological demands. She emphasized that the institute would prioritize continuous professional development to ensure that Ghanaian bankers remain competitive and resilient against the shifting dynamics of the global financial landscape.

Looking forward, the CIB Ghana plans to strengthen its regulatory oversight and professional training programs to keep pace with industry changes. A key initiative on the council's agenda is the organization of a National Banking and Ethics Conference scheduled for 2026, which aims to bring together industry stakeholders to discuss long-term solutions for the sector's challenges. The inauguration marks a strategic step in reinforcing the framework for professional banking education and ethical conduct in Ghana.