ACCESS BANK GHANA APPOINTS PEARL NKRUMAH AS FIRST FEMALE MANAGING DIRECTOR

Access Bank Ghana has announced the appointment of Pearl Nkrumah as its new Managing Director, effective October 1, 2025, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to lead the bank since it began operations in Ghana.

Her appointment, which has received approval from both the Board of Directors and the Bank of Ghana, follows the exit of Olumide Olatunji, who successfully served in the role for seven years. Mr. Olatunji will be taking up a new executive assignment within the bank’s parent company in Nigeria.

Ms. Nkrumah brings with her over 25 years of banking experience, spanning retail and digital banking, commercial banking, risk management, and digital transformation. Until her elevation, she was the Executive Director for Retail & Digital Banking at Access Bank Ghana and also oversaw retail operations across 15 Access Africa subsidiaries outside Nigeria.

She also holds a prominent role in Ghana’s financial sector, serving as Chairperson of the Council of the Ghana Stock Exchange, representing listed companies.

Pearl began her banking career in 1998 with Standard Chartered Bank, where she worked for 14 years, before joining Stanbic Bank in 2012. At Stanbic, she rose through the ranks in commercial and business banking leadership positions before joining Access Bank in 2022 as Executive Director.

Commenting on the appointment, Ama Bawuah, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, praised Nkrumah’s track record and leadership skills:

“We are pleased to welcome Pearl Nkrumah as our new Managing Director. Her appointment demonstrates Access Bank’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and succession planning. Having witnessed her contributions on the Board over the past three years, we are confident she will lead the bank into its next growth phase while inspiring women in leadership.”

For her part, Ms. Nkrumah described the appointment as an honor and a responsibility she does not take lightly:

“It is a great privilege to lead Access Bank Ghana at such a pivotal time. Working together with the Board, management, and employees, we will deliver superior value to our customers, shareholders, and communities, while advancing our vision of being the world’s most respected African bank and a true partner in national development.”

Access Bank Ghana has in recent years seen steady growth in its share price, customer deposits, and balance sheet, alongside strengthened partnerships with global institutions such as IFC, MasterCard, and Norfund. The bank has also received multiple recognitions, including Best Bank in Ghana (Euromoney 2023 & 2025, Global Finance 2024 & 2025), Best Bank ESG (Euromoney 2024), and Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing (Karlsruhe Awards 2025), among others.

Outgoing Managing Director Olumide Olatunji expressed his confidence in Pearl Nkrumah’s leadership:

“It has been a privilege to serve Access Bank Ghana over the past seven years. I am proud of the milestones we achieved together and delighted to hand over to Pearl Nkrumah, whose leadership and expertise are well recognized in the industry. I am certain she will take the bank to even greater heights.”

Ms. Nkrumah’s appointment signals a new chapter for Access Bank Ghana as it continues to strengthen its leadership pipeline and reinforce its commitment to diversity, excellence, and sustainable growth.