The Ghana Association of Banks has hit back at the Member of Parliament for the Okaikwei North Constituency, Theresa Lardi Awuni over her a confrontation between her and the Managing Director of a member bank during the National General Cleaning exercise directed by the President following the recent floods on Friday on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, Theresa Lardi Awuni, confronting bank management over an alleged failure to participate in the national clean-up exercise.
In a statement released on July 13, 2026, the association explained that under Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012), banks and other financial institutions were listed as essential institutions and hence were “were exempted” from the closure directive by government ahead of the clean up.
GAB then explained that in line with the press release issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs on the two-day exercise, which stated in part that “to ensure full participation and effective execution of the exercise, all shops, markets, commercial establishments, corporate organisations and other non-essential businesses within the affected regions shall remain closed between 6:00am and 1:00pm. Institutions providing ESSENTIAL and EMERGENCY services are exempt”, it also directed its member banks including the bank involved in the incident to keep their branches open during the stated hours while their staff actively participated in cleaning the immediate surroundings of their branch premises.
The association however clarified that it nonetheless doesn’t condone “any conduct by a member bank that flouts a lawful government directive” adding that it will not hesitate to address such conduct should Incase it happens.
The association also stated categorically that it is in the same vain that it will not also not accept any conduct by any individual or group of persons which seeks to demean, intimidate, or undermine the integrity of staff of any of its member banks, who are not engaged in any unlawful activity.
“As 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 statement read
The association then assured the public of its commitment to complying with government directives while responsibly serving the banking needs of the nation and called for a more measured and constructive engagement with member banks on matters of public interest.
The Ghana Association of Banks is the country’s leading mouthpiece for the universal banking sector, currently representing the interests of 23 member banks and the Development Bank. The Association was established on 29th May 1980.
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