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Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has announced the appointment of Pearl Nkrumah as its new Managing Director, effective October 1, 2025. Her appointment, approved by the Board of Directors and the Bank of Ghana, marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead the bank since it began operations in Ghana.
She succeeds Mr. Olumide Olatunji, who has served as Managing Director for the past seven years and will be transitioning into a new executive role within the bank’s parent company in Nigeria.
A Leader with Proven Experience
Ms. Nkrumah brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, with deep expertise spanning retail and digital banking, commercial banking, risk management, and digital transformation.
Before her elevation, she served as Executive Director for Retail and Digital Banking at Access Bank Ghana, and also oversaw the bank’s retail strategy across 15 Access Africa subsidiaries, excluding Nigeria.
She also currently serves as Chairperson of the Council of the Ghana Stock Exchange, representing listed companies—further highlighting her leadership in Ghana’s financial sector.
Her career began at Standard Chartered Bank in 1998, where she held multiple roles over 14 years before joining Stanbic Bank in 2012. At Stanbic, she held senior leadership positions in commercial and business banking before joining Access Bank in 2022 as Executive Director.
Board Chair’s Endorsement
Ms. Ama Bawuah, Chair of the Board of Directors, praised Pearl’s appointment as a reflection of Access Bank’s commitment to leadership diversity and long-term succession planning:
“We are pleased to welcome Pearl Nkrumah as our new Managing Director. Having worked alongside her over the past three years, this appointment is a testament to her track record and leadership capabilities.
We are confident she will lead the bank into its next phase of growth, while inspiring future generations of women in leadership.”
Ms. Bawuah also expressed gratitude to outgoing MD Olumide Olatunji for his “exemplary service” and instrumental role in building Access Bank Ghana into a “formidable business.”
Incoming MD’s Vision
In her remarks, Ms. Nkrumah said she is honored to lead the bank at such a pivotal moment:
“It is a great privilege to lead Access Bank Ghana at such a pivotal time. Together with the Board, management, and our dedicated employees, we will deliver superior value to our customers, shareholders, and communities—building Ghana’s leading catalyst for growth.
This aligns with our broader vision to become the world’s most respected African bank and a true partner in national progress.”
Her appointment reflects Access Bank’s broader commitment to enhancing leadership diversity and driving innovation through inclusive succession planning.
Legacy of Growth and Global Recognition
Under Mr. Olatunji’s leadership, Access Bank Ghana recorded significant milestones:
- Growth in shareholder value, customer deposits, and balance sheet strength
- Strategic partnerships with IFC, MasterCard, Norfund, and other multilateral agencies
- Major industry accolades, including:
- Best Bank in Ghana (Euromoney 2023 & 2025, Global Finance 2024 & 2025)
- Best ESG Bank (Euromoney 2024)
- Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing (Karlsruhe Awards 2025)
- Best Digital Bank (2023)
- Best CSR Bank (Euromoney 2023; SSI Awards 2020, 2021 & 2023)
Reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Olatunji expressed pride in the institution’s growth:
“It has been a privilege to serve as Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana over the past 7 years. I’m proud of our achievements and the resilience of our team.
I’m delighted to hand over to Pearl Nkrumah, whose leadership is well recognized across the industry. I have no doubt she will lead the bank to even greater heights.”
About Access Bank Ghana
Access Bank (Ghana) Plc is a subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, one of Africa’s largest banking groups. The bank has established itself as a leader in innovation, sustainability, and inclusive finance, delivering tailored banking solutions to individuals, SMEs, and corporate clients across Ghana.
