BoG Proposes New Rules to Help Banks Meet Customers’ Withdrawal Demands

According to a report by MyJoyOnline published on October 12, 2026, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has proposed new rules requiring banks to maintain enough readily available funds to meet customers’ financial needs, even during periods of economic or financial stress.

The proposal is contained in the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) Directive, 2026, an exposure draft published by the central bank on October 9, 2026. The proposed directive is intended to strengthen banks’ ability to handle sudden cash withdrawals and other financial obligations without experiencing serious liquidity problems.

Under the proposed rules, banks would be required to maintain a Liquidity Coverage Ratio of at least 100 per cent. This means each bank must hold sufficient eligible liquid assets to cover its projected net cash outflows over a period of 30 days under specified financial stress conditions.

These assets must be capable of being converted into cash quickly with little or no loss of value. They may include cash, qualifying balances held with the Bank of Ghana and eligible government securities, subject to the conditions outlined in the draft directive.

The framework would also require banks to consider possible cash outflows resulting from customers withdrawing deposits, maturing financial obligations, reduced access to wholesale funding and customers drawing on previously committed credit facilities.

The proposed rules are intended to help banks withstand unexpected financial pressures while reducing the risk that liquidity problems at one institution could affect the wider banking sector.

The public has an opportunity to comment on the proposal. The Bank of Ghana has set November 30, 2026, as the deadline for stakeholders, banks and members of the public to submit their views before the directive is finalised.

The central bank has proposed September 1, 2027, as the effective date, with banks expected to align their internal policies, processes and systems by August 31, 2027. The proposal is not yet a final requirement. Its implementation will depend on the outcome of the consultation and the final directive issued by the central bank.

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