Banking

The Ghanaian banking sector had a difficult year in 2015, amid weakening macroeconomic conditions in the country. Growth fell below the rate seen in 2014, while non-performing loans rose significantly. However, banks used 2016 to retrench, lower their risk exposure and attempt to turn around weaknesses in their loan portfolios that were held over from 2015. Additional uncertainty created by the general election in December 2016 reinforced conservative behaviour, but the sector’s prospects in 2017 are promising. The industry remains one of the economy’s brightest performers, and the large unbanked population offers plenty of scope for expansion.

This chapter contains an interview with Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku, Governor, Bank of Ghana.