The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has defended one of its member banks following an alleged confrontation involving the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, insisting that the branch acted lawfully by remaining open during the recent national clean-up exercise because banks are classified as essential service providers.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, GAB said it had taken note of an incident that reportedly occurred on Friday, July 10, at a branch of one of its member banks, where the MP allegedly entered the premises, made disparaging remarks to a staff member participating in the clean-up exercise and expressed her dissatisfaction with the branch’s decision to remain open.
According to the association, it became aware of the incident through videos and commentary circulating on social media and sought to provide what it described as the full context of the matter.
GAB explained that banks have long been recognised as essential service providers under Ghana’s legal framework, recalling that during the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, the government exempted banks and other financial institutions from movement and business operation restrictions under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) and its accompanying legislative instruments.
It said this classification has remained the established position of successive governments.
The association further disclosed that ahead of the two-day national clean-up exercise ordered by President John Dramani Mahama following the recent floods, it engaged the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to seek clarification that member bank branches could continue serving customers while participating in the exercise.
GAB said it subsequently relied on a Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs directive, which exempted institutions providing essential and emergency services from the temporary closure of businesses between 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
“Accordingly, GAB directed all member banks to keep their branches open during the stated hours while their staff actively participated in cleaning the immediate surroundings of their branch premises,” the statement said.
Addressing the reported incident, the association described as “deeply concerning and unfortunate” claims that the MP entered the bank branch, forced her way into the manager’s office and confronted staff over the bank’s operations during the exercise.
GAB stressed that while it would not condone any member bank that disregards lawful government directives, it would equally not tolerate the intimidation or abuse of bank employees acting within the law.
“We wish to state unambiguously that it does not condone any conduct by a member bank that flouts a lawful government directive and will not hesitate to address such conduct when it occurs,” the association stated.
“Equally, GAB will not accept conduct by any individual or group of persons who seek to demean, intimidate, or undermine the integrity of staff of any of its member banks, who were at all times acting in full compliance with the applicable legal framework and government guidance.”
It added that, “As a law abiding and significant tax paying sector, we will not tolerate any such acts of intimidation and use of abusive language on staff of our member banks by anyone or group of people.”
The association maintained that the branch remained open because banks are legally recognised as essential service providers and that staff simultaneously participated in the clean-up exercise in support of the President’s national initiative.
GAB called for “a more measured and constructive engagement” with member banks on matters of public interest and reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, Parliament and other state institutions while continuing to comply with government directives and serve the banking needs of Ghanaians.
