Chartered Institute of Bankers Ghana Launches Chartered Bankers Ladies Association
Ghana’s banking sector has marked a significant moment with the inauguration of the Chartered Bankers Ladies Association, a new professional body operating under the auspices of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana.
The ceremony, held in Accra on Friday, February 6, 2026, formally established the Chartered Bankers Ladies Association as a platform to advance mentorship, leadership development and ethical standards among women in the financial services industry.
The vision for the Association was conceived by Bishop Mrs Patricia Sappor, a Fellow of the Institute, the first female and immediate past President of CIB Ghana, and now Founding Patron of the new body.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Sappor recounted the personal experience that inspired the initiative. “Some years ago, I had a dream where I saw a lot of women of various ages in a huge labour ward going through tremendous labour pains and agony, with no one assisting them deliver their babies.”
She explained that the dream crystallised her conviction that women in banking required a structured support system to realise their full potential. She said it became clear that there was a need to bring women bankers together and create a platform where they could be assisted and supported emotionally and in various ways to achieve their God given purposes, visions, dreams and aspirations. “Today is an affirmation that the future of banking will be stronger, fairer, and more resilient when we fully harness the talents of all our professionals,” Bishop Sappor stated.
The President of CIB Ghana, Mr Benjamin Amenumey, said the inauguration represented a deliberate institutional move rather than a symbolic gesture. He noted that the establishment of the Association aligns with Act 991 of 2019, which mandates that two out of every three elected Council members must be female chartered bankers.
He described the new body as “structural, not merely symbolic” and observed that women now constitute over 50 per cent of chartered bankers in Ghana, forming the majority at recent graduation ceremonies.
In congratulatory remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of CIB Ghana, Mr Robert Dzato, linked the development to global governance and sustainability standards. “The inauguration of the CBLA represents a significant milestone in our institute's commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance principles. Gender diversity and women's empowerment are not just social imperatives. They are fundamental to building resilient, ethical, and sustainable financial institutions that serve all of society,” he stated.
Mr Dzato added that research consistently shows that diverse leadership teams make more balanced decisions, exhibit stronger risk management and demonstrate higher ethical standards. He stressed that as the financial sector faces digital disruption, regulatory shifts and heightened scrutiny, the Association would serve as a vehicle for advancing responsible banking practices that exceed minimum compliance requirements.
The Interim President of the Association, Ms Alberta Quarcoopome, outlined its mission and long-term ambition. She described the CBLA as a united front of women bankers committed to resilience and excellence. “Our mission is to build a legacy that will inspire generations of lady bankers to come,” she said.
She further emphasised that the Association would operate under the umbrella of the Institute while deepening partnerships across the banking industry. “The CIB motto of honesty and integrity must be in the DNA of all lady bankers. As role models, we must be intentional in upholding these standards,” Ms Quarcoopome stated.
The Association has identified key strategic pillars centred on competency development through workshops in digital skills, communication, entrepreneurship and leadership. It also plans to implement structured mentorship programmes pairing experienced professionals with emerging talent, alongside networking platforms to strengthen collaboration across institutions.
Bishop Sappor urged members to embrace leadership roles with confidence. “Believe in yourselves and your ability. Do not be afraid of leadership. Together, we will ensure this association becomes a transformative force in our profession, creating a natural habitat for women within Ghana's financial sector.”
Founded under the motto ‘Nurturing to Impact’, the Chartered Bankers Ladies Association is expected to complement the Institute’s longstanding role in regulating and promoting professionalism in Ghana’s banking sector, reinforcing a commitment to inclusivity, ethical conduct and institutional resilience.