Accra:Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, has officially sworn in the newly formed Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana). The council is led by its President and Chairperson, Dr. Mrs. Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, FCIB. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Education in Accra, where the members took the Oaths of Office and Secrecy as per the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana Act, 2019 (Act 991).
According to Ghana News Agency, the Council includes Dr. Mrs. Ohene-Afoakwa, FCIB, President and Chairperson; Mr. Woelinam Dogbe, FCIB, Vice President; Mr. Benjamin Amenumey, FCIB, Immediate Past President; Mr. Robert Dzato, FCIB, Chief Executive Officer; Mrs. Rosemond Amoo, FCIB, Member; and Mrs. Doris Yaa Aggrey Ahiati, FCIB, Member. Other members are Mr. Daniel Kweku Arhin, ACIB, Member; Mr. John Awuah, representing the Ghana Association of Banks; Mr. Elliot Adu Amoako, representing the Bank of Ghana; Mr. Kudjo Andy Ameckson, representing the Ministry of Finance; and Mr. Emmanuel Oteng, representing the Ministry of Education.
Mr. Iddrisu urged the council to fulfill its statutory duties under Act 991 by promoting professional excellence, strengthening ethical standards, and addressing emerging challenges within Ghana's banking sector. He emphasized the Institute's role in regulating professional banking practices, setting standards for knowledge, competence, and conduct, as well as administering professional examinations and promoting continuing professional development (CPD).
The Minister also expressed concerns about the increasing risks of cybercrime and digital banking fraud, urging the Council to bolster the industry's capacity to tackle such threats. He highlighted the need for the Council to address emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence and its potential impact on banking fraud in Ghana.
Additionally, Mr. Iddrisu called for greater attention to non-performing loans (NPLs), regulatory compliance, and sound corporate governance, stressing that professional integrity must remain at the core of banking practices. He also requested CIB Ghana to advise the Ministry of Education on incorporating financial literacy into the national curriculum.
Dr. Mrs. Ohene-Afoakwa extended her gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for their confidence in the Council. She emphasized the Council's responsibility in shaping the future of Ghana's banking profession amidst technological advancements and emerging risks. The Council aims to enhance professional standards, advance digital finance capacity, and promote good governance and ethical leadership.
She also noted that cybersecurity, virtual assets, data analytics, and green finance have been integrated into the Institute's curriculum to prepare banking professionals for the evolving financial sector demands. Dr. Mrs. Ohene-Afoakwa expressed the Council's commitment to reducing fraud cases, fostering ethical banking professionals, and improving credit management to decrease NPLs.
Mr. Robert Dzato, CEO of CIB Ghana, reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to strengthening continuing professional development as a key requirement for maintaining professional competence. He mentioned the Institute's focus on leadership, soft skills, and digital competencies, along with the introduction of new content in areas such as virtual assets. The Institute is also enhancing its faculty through training, recruitment, and digital learning platform expansion.