The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has condemned the conduct of the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, Theresa Lardi Awuni, following an incident in which she reportedly confronted staff of a member bank during last week's national clean-up exercise.
In a statement issued on Monday [July 13, 2026], the Ghana Association of Banks said the incident occurred on Friday, July 10, at a branch of one of its member banks, where the MP visited, made remarks to a staff member engaged in clean-up activities, and indicated that she had contacted the bank's Managing Director to convey her displeasure.
The Association said it became aware of the incident through footage and commentary circulating on social media.
Video
In a widely circulated video, the MP criticised the Cal Bank branch for allegedly failing to participate in the national general cleaning exercise.
She accused the bank of failing to clean its frontage despite having a physical presence within communities, while she personally took part in clearing gutters in her constituency.
The MP questioned why institutions operating within communities could not take responsibility for maintaining their immediate surroundings.
Response
The association in the statement reacting to the incident defended the bank's decision to remain open during the exercise, explaining that banks are legally classified as essential service providers, a designation established during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) and the accompanying Executive Instrument. "This Instrument, together with subsequent instruments issued under Act 1012, expressly listed banks and other financial institutions among the essential service providers," the statement read.
Ahead of the exercise, GAB said it engaged the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council on July 9 to seek clarification on the participation of banks.
It subsequently received the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs' directive stating that while non-essential businesses were to close between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm, institutions providing essential and emergency services were exempt.
"As the Bank of Ghana, banks and other specialised deposit-taking institutions are listed and classified among essential service providers, member bank branches were exempted from this closure requirement," the statement said.
The GAB said it therefore directed all member banks to keep their branches open while staff simultaneously participated in cleaning the immediate surroundings of their premises.
Against this backdrop, the GAB described reports of the MP's conduct as "deeply concerning and unfortunate". "GAB wishes 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 statement said. "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".
The association stressed that as a law-abiding and significant tax-paying sector, it would not tolerate intimidation or abusive language directed at staff of its member banks. The GAB reaffirmed that the branch remained open because banks are recognised as essential service providers and stressed that its staff also took part in the clean-up exercise in support of the President's national sanitation initiative.
Calling for restraint, GAB urged public office holders and all stakeholders to engage member banks in a constructive manner whenever concerns arise. It reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with government, Parliament, and all relevant state institutions to promote Ghana's economic development.