Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has called on Ghana’s banking sector to build on the economic stability achieved in 2025 by expandin
Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has called on Ghana’s banking sector to build on the economic stability achieved in 2025 by expanding responsible lending, supporting exporters and deepening financial-sector reforms.
Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Bankers, 2025 Governor’s Day and Annual Bankers’ Dinner in Accra, Dr Asiama said the year had been characterised by difficult policy decisions aimed at restoring confidence in the monetary and financial system.
He said when he assumed office earlier in 2025, the economy was facing weakened confidence in policy signals, coordination and implementation.
The Bank subsequently adopted measures to strengthen monetary and market discipline, including a 100-basis-point increase in the policy rate in March, greater transparency in Monetary Policy Committee voting and reforms to liquidity and foreign-exchange risk management.
According to Dr Asiama, inflation, which was above 23 percent at the beginning of the year, had declined to single digits by November, while the cedi recorded cumulative appreciation of more than 20 percent.
The MPC subsequently reduced the policy rate by a cumulative 1,000 basis points as disinflation progressed.
He noted that the banking sector also made progress in rebuilding resilience following the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
The number of banks with capital ratios below the prudential threshold fell from 11 at the end of 2024 to five by November 2025.
However, Dr Asiama said banks must intensify efforts to reduce non-performing loans towards the 10 percent prudential benchmark by the end of 2026, while strengthening governance, risk management and capital buffers.
He also announced that the Bank would deepen reforms in the microfinance and specialised deposit-taking sector, alongside efforts to modernise payment systems, strengthen cybersecurity and expand digital financial services.
Looking ahead, the Governor urged banks to move beyond traditional lending and become active partners in the export agenda, particularly by financing agro-processing, non-traditional exports and businesses seeking opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He said 2025 was the year confidence was rebuilt, while 2026 must be the year that confidence is translated into productive investment, stronger businesses, job creation and a more competitive Ghanaian economy.
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