The Chartered Institute of Bankers Ghana has crowned the University of Ghana as winners of the second edition of the National Banking and Ethics Challenge (NBEC 2.0), following a keenly contested grand finale in Accra that brought together students, academics and industry leaders.
The University of Ghana Business School secured victory with 35 points, finishing ahead of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, which placed second with 29.5 points, while the University for Development Studies came third with 26.5 points. The competition, held at the CIB Ghana Auditorium, marked a significant step in efforts to strengthen ethical standards and professional competence within Ghana’s banking sector.
This year’s edition saw a sharp increase in participation, with twelve universities competing—more than double the number in the inaugural event in 2025. Institutions such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University of Cape Coast joined a diverse field spanning both public and private universities, reflecting the growing national appeal of the initiative.
President of the institute, Benjamin Amenumey, described the challenge as a strategic intervention aimed at shaping the future of the banking profession. “The National Banking and Ethics Challenge was born of a simple conviction. The future of banking depends on professionals who are ethically grounded, intellectually sharp, and prepared for the global landscape that never stands still,” he said.
He added that the rising interest in the competition underscored its relevance, noting that every participant emerged better equipped through knowledge gained, practical exposure and networking opportunities.
Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Robert Dzato, placed the initiative within the broader mandate of the organisation to regulate and promote the study of banking under the Chartered Bankers Act, 2019 (Act 911). He stressed that trust remained the cornerstone of the profession. “Trust is the currency in banking. Cash is the raw material. The true currency is trust, and that trust comes from ethics, from character, from doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” he said.
Mr Dzato further explained that the competition was designed not only to build technical expertise but also to enhance public financial literacy, with questions structured to benefit both contestants and audience members.
A former president of the institute, Clifford Duke Mettle, urged participants to see the contest as a formative experience that extends beyond the auditorium. “Banking is a wonderful profession. It gives you status, but more than that, it gives you responsibility. The essence of what we are doing here is to show that once you work in a bank, people can trust you, people can believe in you,” he said.
The institute also announced a range of incentives for participants, including internship opportunities with GCB Bank and fee waivers for those pursuing chartered banking qualifications, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals.
NBEC 2.0 tested students across a wide spectrum of banking and finance topics, including fraud prevention, digital banking, cybersecurity, environmental, social and governance principles, and consumer protection, reflecting the evolving demands of the industry.
Looking ahead, the institute signalled plans to expand the competition further under NBEC 3.0, with proposals to introduce regional qualifiers and incorporate emerging issues such as non-performing loans and digital assets.
The organisers say the initiative forms part of a broader agenda to rebuild confidence in Ghana’s banking sector and develop a new cadre of professionals grounded in ethics, competence and accountability.
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