New CIB Ghana Council sworn in to tackle AI fraud and banking ethics

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has sworn in the newly constituted Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, led by its President and Chairperson, Dr Mrs Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, with a pledge to strengthen banking ethics, professional standards and digital readiness.

At the swearing-in ceremony held at the Ministry of Education in Accra, nine Council members took the oaths of office and secrecy in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana Act, 2019 (Act 991).

Conveying congratulations on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, Mr Iddrisu urged the Council to discharge its statutory mandate under Act 991 to promote professional excellence, strengthen ethical standards and respond to emerging challenges in Ghana’s banking sector. He highlighted the Institute’s responsibilities, including regulating professional banking practice, setting standards of knowledge, competence and conduct, administering professional examinations and promoting continuing professional development.

The Minister expressed concern about the growing risks associated with cybercrime and digital banking fraud, urging the Council to help strengthen the industry’s capacity to respond to these threats. “We expect that you will respond to the new emerging challenge of artificial intelligence and how that can impact on fraud associated with banking in Ghana,” he said. He also called for greater attention to non-performing loans, regulatory compliance and sound corporate governance, stressing that professional integrity must remain central to banking practice. “Ethics is fundamental to your calling, this is why bankers must provide accurate information, avoid fraud, uphold confidentiality and avoid discriminatory practices,” he said.

While acknowledging the banking sector’s improved resilience, Mr Iddrisu challenged the Council to consider how those gains could be sustained through stronger governance, professional competence and responsible banking practices. He further emphasised the contribution of community banks to financial inclusion and the promotion of a savings culture, particularly in rural communities. On financial education, the Minister requested that CIB Ghana advise the Ministry of Education on the feasibility of incorporating financial literacy into the national curriculum.

Responding on behalf of the Council, Dr Mrs Ohene-Afoakwa expressed appreciation to President Mahama, the Minister and the wider banking community for the trust reposed in the Council. She said that beyond providing strategic direction and oversight, the Council carries a larger responsibility “to help shape the future of the banking profession in Ghana” as technology, innovation and emerging risks redefine the industry.

The Council’s focus, she said, will be on strengthening professional standards, advancing capability in digital finance, promoting good governance and ethical leadership, and creating stronger pathways for the next generation of banking professionals. “Banking is ultimately more than just institutions and transactions. It is about enabling business to grow, supporting investments, creating opportunities and contributing to the economic progress of our country,” she said. “Our ambition therefore is to build a profession that is future-ready, globally competitive, strong in integrity, competence and public trust,” she added.

Dr Mrs Ohene-Afoakwa acknowledged the Minister’s concerns over cyber fraud and non-performing loans, describing them as priorities that aligned closely with the Council’s agenda. Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, she said the Institute had already incorporated cybersecurity and virtual assets into its curriculum, alongside data analytics and green finance, to prepare banking professionals for the changing demands of the financial sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of CIB Ghana, Robert Dzato, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to strengthening continuing professional development as a key requirement for maintaining professional competence. “To be a member in the institute going forward, it’s not just paying subscription, but you must take a certain minimum number of credit hours in a year to continue to maintain that status as a chartered banker,” he said.

Beyond technical skills, Mr Dzato said the Institute is placing emphasis on leadership, soft and digital skills, with new content in areas such as virtual assets. It is also strengthening its faculty through training, new recruitment and teaching assistants, alongside digital learning platforms. The institute is working on the pipeline into the industry through its university-level banking and ethics programmes and support for financial literacy in secondary schools.

As part of its efforts to promote professional excellence, CIB Ghana will hold its 30th National Banking and Ethics Conference on November 9 and 10, 2026, under the theme “Trust, Technology and Transformation.” The Minister for Education has confirmed his participation in the conference, which will feature masterclasses and discussions on digital assets, artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, professional ethics and public trust, with the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations also expected to participate.