The Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana) has capped 2025 with significant institutional progress, reaffirming its commitment to strengthen its impact on Ghana’s financial system.

The Institute will also expand selected programmes across the West African sub-region in 2026.

Mr Robert Dzato, the Chief Executive Officer of CIB Ghana speaking at the Institute’s annual Thanksgiving Service in Accra said 2025 had been a successful year marked by progress in education, ethics and professional standards within the banking industry.

He said the Institute remained firmly focused on its statutory mandate to promote the study of banking and regulate the practice of the profession in Ghana, while responding to evolving industry needs.

“Last year has been particularly good. We launched a number of programmes to advance our educational mandate and pushed the ethics agenda strongly across the banking industry,” he added.

Mr Dzato said CIB Ghana had also intensified its sustainability focus through collaborations with key institutions, including the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bank of Ghana.

These partnerships, he explained, were aimed at strengthening trust, competence and responsible conduct across the financial sector.

The CEO said 2026 would be a defining year for the Institute, with plans to extend the reach of some of its flagship programmes beyond Ghana.

He revealed that CIB Ghana intended to regionalise selected offerings across West Africa, beginning with the Chartered Banker Executive Leadership Programme (CBEL), which he described as one of the Institute’s most impactful professional development products.

“Last year alone, we graduated about 57 professionals in key management positions across the banking sector, including the central bank and it is a strong solution that we must take to other markets,” Mr. Dzato said.

He said the Institute’s broader purpose is to help address Africa’s human capital needs through trusted professionals.

He indicated that the Institute would sustain its core programmes in 2026, particularly the Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB) qualification, which remained its flagship pathway for bankers.

New initiatives such as Ethics 2.0, the Branch CEO programme and the Digital Academy are also expected to gain traction in the coming year, with a strong emphasis on competence, character and conduct across the profession.

“These are critical if trust is to be deepened in the banking sector as we move into 2026,” Mr. Dzato added.

Mr Benjamin Amenumey, the President of CIB Ghana described 2025 as a year of transformation and growth for the Institute.

He paid tribute to the Governing Council, management, staff, fellows and members of the Institute, as well as key stakeholders such as the Ghana Association of Banks and the Bank of Ghana, for their sustained support.

“None of this would have been possible without the collective effort and commitment of our partners and stakeholders,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the Institute would enter 2026 with renewed energy and a deeper commitment to integrity, service and excellence, noting that values must remain central to professional practice.

He also expressed optimism that the new year would bring progress and further elevate the standing of CIB Ghana.

As part of the programme, CIB Ghana honoured long-serving staff members for their dedication and contribution to the Institute’s growth over the years.

Award recipients included Elorm Kobla Seshime, Rosemary Yaa Amponsah Offei, Margaret Adofo, Paul Gadzekpo and Daniel Aboagye.

The awards recognised years of service, institutional loyalty and behind-the-scenes contributions that have supported the Institute’s development.