BoG boss highlights achievements of Nat’l Banking College; touches on efforts to maintain high standard of professionalism

First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari has said that the Governing Council of the National Banking College (NBC), together with the various management teams, has selflessly managed affairs at the College in line with the best practices and ensured its continued growth and relevance in the industry.

In each passing year, he said, the institution has navigated through various economic landscapes and regional and global transformations to become stronger and more impactful.

Indeed, he added, the continued success of NBC attests to its resilience and dedication.

“More recently, issues that emerged from the banking sector clean up exercise necessitated a review of NBC’s strategies to actualise its vision of becoming a world-class institution, delivering effective training in banking and finance, and thus playing a leading role in the
capacity building of employees in the financial sector,” he said in a statement he presented on behalf of the Governor of the BoG, Dr Ernest Addison at the 30th anniversary celebration of the NBC last week.

In the context of recent developments in global economics and then the Ghanaian
banking industry, Dr Opoku-Afari further stated, the Governing Council, approved a five-year strategic roadmap spanning 2021 to 2026, and empowered the Management of NBC to define a clear and collective direction to achieve the mandate.

In line with this, he said, the College has expanded course offerings, introduced new programmes, enhanced infrastructure, and ensured continuous investment in faculty development.

“Today, as we commemorate NBC’s 30th anniversary, we will not only celebrate past achievements, but also look forward to a future filled with promise, innovation, and continued growth,” he said.

Banking sector clean-up was necessary, not destructive to Ghana’s Economy – Financial Analyst

“Over the past 30 years, a strong Governance and Oversight structure has been
established and implemented by the Governing Council. This has contributed to
maintaining the highest standards of integrity, customer focus, excellence, teamwork,
professionalism, and fairness, and ultimately, sustaining operations of the College.

“Indeed, the Council remains deeply committed to upholding its governance role with
utmost diligence and responsibility. Through the setup of specialised Committees
(such as Finance and Administration, Technical, and Audit and Governance), the
Council plays a pivotal role with diligent oversight in all aspects of operations,” he added.

This, he said, has ensured that the Banking College operates within the legal and regulatory frameworks, safeguarding its reputation and building stakeholder trust. Transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct are other hallmarks that the Council holds in high regard, and all these have become embedded in the governance framework.

“Additionally, NBC has built partnerships over the years and collaborated with other
stakeholders to enrich the educational offerings, faculty development, and student
opportunities.”

Current Achievements

He said “As we celebrate the College’s exceptional progress, let me highlight remarkable
achievements chalked over the past 30 years. Through innovative programmes and
strategic partnerships, NBC has equipped countless professionals with the knowledge
and skills necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving financial services sector. For
instance, the number of programmes offered by the College has increased from 69 in
2018 to 165 in 2023, while participation jumped from 2,828 banking professionals and
non-bank participants to 5,751 over the same period.”

Issues emerged from banking sector clean up caused review of nat’l banking college strategies – BoG

Additionally, the College has upgraded its IT infrastructure to improve programme content
and delivery that match up with the expectations of stakeholders, as well as
monitoring and evaluation of training activities. NBC’s commitment to excellence has earned it recognition as a leading institution in financial services education, with trained participants serving as pillars of expertise, integrity, and professionalism in the country’s financial sector.

The College has spearheaded the ongoing annual corporate governance
certification programme for boards of directors and executive teams of universal
banks, rural banks, and other financial institutions. The College also continues to diversify its programme offerings by engaging in consultancy services in areas such as risk management, board evaluations, and agribusiness, in collaboration with institutions like GIRSAL and AGRA. In addition, the College faculties undertake research of financial institutions, to develop programmes that address uniquely identified challenges.

As part of efforts to incorporate best practices, expert knowledge and programme relevance, the College has established partnerships with subject matter experts and institutions, both locally and internationally, to bring the much-needed exposure to the doorsteps of all stakeholders.

Way Forward for NBC

“Our commitment to infrastructural development cannot be overemphasized.
Continuous improvement in the physical facilities, leveraging technology, and research
resources for participants has enhanced the College’s appeal as an excellent worldclass learning environment that fosters growth, innovation, and success. In improving its operations, the College is also working assiduously to ensure revenue sustainability through internally generated funds.

The NBC’s strategic plan provides a clear roadmap to the year 2026, and the Governing Council believes that with the needed support, Management will efficiently execute the plan. This momentous occasion of celebrating the 30th anniversary of
the National Banking College calls for unity of purpose and the embracement of the
shared vision to shape and propel NBC towards greater heights.

“The commitment to innovate, adapt, and evolve to meet the changing needs of the banking and finance industry should be at the forefront of all our endeavours. This will help us grow a strong and well-trained workforce in the financial sector to ensure stability and growth of the economy. As we look to the future, I am confident that we will take giant strides and create a lasting impact that will shape future leaders of the banking and finance
industry.”