CIB Ghana unveils new ethics and banking certifications at 29th National Conference

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana has ended the 29th National Banking and Ethics Conference at its Accra auditorium, uniting top regulators, policymakers and industry leaders under the theme: “Building Future-Ready Banks: Ethical Leadership, Sustainable Finance and Currency Stability amid Disruption.”

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana is the professional body for the country’s banking and financial services sector. Guided by the values of honesty and integrity, the Institute is committed to developing competent, ethical and professional bankers who support the growth and stability of Ghana’s financial system.

The conference, one of the country’s leading platforms for dialogue on ethical and sustainable finance, also marked the launch of two major professional programs the Ethics 2.0 Program and the Non-Interest Banking and Finance Certification Program designed to strengthen ethics, competence and sustainability in Ghana’s financial landscape.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Benjamin Amenumey, FCIB, President of CIB Ghana, reaffirmed the Institute’s statutory mandate under Act 991 (2019) to promote the study and practice of banking in Ghana. He stressed that ethics and professionalism remain central to building a resilient financial system. “Banking is first and foremost a trust profession. Where trust is strong, stability is possible. Where trust is weak, the system is at risk,” he said.

He highlighted recent initiatives to enhance professional competence, including the revised Associate Chartered Banker (ACIB) curriculum, the Chartered Banker for Executive Leadership (CBEL) program, the Branch CEO Program, and the Digital Banking Academy. He also emphasized the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Certification Program, developed with the IFC and EPA, as a key driver of responsible and sustainable banking.

CIB Ghana CEO Mr. Robert Dzato described the launch of Ethics 2.0 and the Non-Interest Banking Certification as a defining milestone in the Institute’s long-term mission to build a trustworthy and future-ready banking profession.

“The currency in banking is trust. Trust is built through character, competence, and consequence, and that is what we are building in Ghana’s banking workforce,” he noted.

He revealed that over 9,000 banking professionals have completed the initial Ethics 1.0 Program, jointly developed with the Bank of Ghana, and that Ethics 2.0 will expand ethical training to all levels, including executives and boards. He added that, under a new central bank directive, all banking staff must now obtain ethics certification, while branch managers are required to attain the ACIB qualification within five years. The Non-Interest Banking Certification, he noted, will support Ghana’s evolving financial environment by promoting ethical, inclusive, and Sharia-compliant services.

In a keynote address, Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama in a speech delivered by Mr. Ismail Adam, Director of Banking Supervision commended CIB Ghana for leading efforts to strengthen professionalism and ethical discipline in the industry.

He warned that although Ghana’s financial system has become more stable, ethical lapses and fraud continue to threaten public confidence. “Unethical practices remain widespread, with staff-related fraud on the rise. These issues threaten institutional integrity and underscore the need for stronger ethical frameworks and accountability,” he stated.

He confirmed that ethics certification will now form part of the Bank of Ghana’s fit-and-proper criteria for senior managers and board members, reinforcing the regulator’s commitment to integrity within the financial sector.

Delivering the Special Guest Address, Minister for Education Mr. Haruna Iddrisu praised the partnership between CIB Ghana and the central bank and called for a fully independent Bank of Ghana to protect monetary policy. He urged banks to resist being used as channels for unethical financial transactions, noting that “many of the unethical and corrupt monies in this country pass through the banking system.”

He added that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with CIB Ghana and NaCCA to integrate financial ethics and literacy into the national curriculum to nurture responsible future professionals.

The conference featured insightful panel discussions. The first session, the Practitioners and Professionals Panel, addressed “The Future of Banking: Ethical Leadership and Sustainability of Revenue, Business and Operating Models of Banks”. Moderated by Ms. Abena Asare-Menako, ACIB, it brought together Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke of AGI, Dr. Stephane Nwolley of Npontu Technologies, Mr. Sina Kamagate of GCB Bank PLC and Mr. Dzato.

Panelists discussed how banks can refine revenue and operating models to remain competitive while prioritizing ethics and sustainability. They stressed the importance of values-driven leadership, digital transformation, and governance reforms for building resilient, future-ready institutions.

The 2025 edition reinforced CIB Ghana’s leadership in promoting ethical banking and sustainable finance across West Africa. Through its emphasis on ethics, technology, and sustainability, the Institute continues to build a community of trusted bankers capable of advancing financial inclusion and long-term economic stability.