Ghana’s Banking sector has experienced a number of significant changes in the past year. Of all these changes, the Bank of Ghana’s revocation of the banking licences of seven indigenous banks will be on the minds of many for some time to come. In the midst of the current bank collapses, you would think this is...
Tag: Bank of Ghana
Regulating Related Party Activities in Ghanaian Banking
A survey of the reporting of the still on-going issues surrounding the banking sector in Ghana reveals that many of the problems associated with the banking sector have been attributed to ‘weak corporate governance’[1]. A careful examination of the facts surrounding the collapse of the seven banks over the last two years shows that at...
Who Should Regulate Menzgold – BOG or SEC?
In November 2017, the Bank of Ghana (BOG) via notice[i]cautioned the public against transacting business with Menzgold Ghana Company Limited (Menzgold). The notice further stated that anyone who continues to transact business with the company “does so at his or her own risk, and the Bank of Ghana will not be liable to such clients...
Are the Directors of the Failed Banks in Serious Trouble?
The conversation relating to the August 1, 2018 announcement of the ‘collapse’ and so-called ‘consolidation’ of the five banks[1]went from taking stock of the intensity of what had happened and quickly veered into what ought to be the personal liability of the directors and management involved with these banks. Over the rest of the week...
Overview of BOG’s Corporate Governance Directives
Banking in Ghana began in the 1890s when Standard Chartered Bank (Ghana) Limited established its first branch in Accra. This was followed by the opening in 1917 of a Barclays Bank branch. Until 1953, these two banks were the only commercial banks operating in the country. Then the Bank of the Gold Coast was set...
Unibank vs UT Bank and Capital Bank: Spot the Difference?
The Bank of Ghana (BOG) on March 20, 2018, appointed KPMG as “official administrator” of Unibank Ghana Ltd (“Unibank”). According to the BOG, the appointment of the official administrator is to save Unibank from imminent collapse and prevent losses to depositors and creditors. This is the second time the BOG has intervened in the operations...
Are Banks Allowed to Name and Shame Defaulting Customers?
In 1896, the Bank of British West Africa (which later became the Standard Chartered Bank) opened its first branch in Accra. Between 1920-1950, the Bank of British West Africa and Barclays Bank were the only banks operating in the Gold Coast[1]. The banking landscape has since changed and Ghana now has over 35 banks. But...