The future of banking will depend not only on technological innovation but also on professionals who are willing to continuously learn, adapt and uphold the values of the profession, speakers at a Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) retreat organised by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB PLC) have said.
The call was made at the maiden CIB-ADB Chapter Retreat, held in Akosombo on August 7 and 8, 2026, under the theme “Recharge, Reconnect and Reinvent.”
The two-day gathering brought together CIB-ADB Chapter members from across the country, ADB executives and industry experts for conversations around professional growth, leadership, innovation and the changing nature of financial services.
The retreat was led by Sylvia Naa Kwakai Nyante, President of the CIB-ADB Chapter and Deputy Managing Director in charge of Services at ADB. ADB Managing Director Edward Ato Sarpong attended as Special Guest, while Robert Dzato, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, was the guest speaker.
Speaking at the event, Mr Sarpong said the pace of technological change in banking made investment in employees more important, rather than less.
He said ADB’s drive to become a stronger, more competitive and customer-focused bank could only be sustained by developing the people responsible for delivering its strategy.
“As banking continues to evolve, the institutions that will lead are those that combine innovation and technology with knowledgeable, ethical and highly motivated people. Our investment in professional development is therefore an investment in the future of ADB,” the ADB MD stated.
He urged members of the Chapter to take the lessons and relationships developed at the retreat back into their workplaces and use them to improve customer service, teamwork and value creation.
Mr Dzato also pointed to the rapid changes taking place across the industry, particularly the growing influence of artificial intelligence, digitalisation and data analytics, as well as changing customer expectations.
He said bankers could no longer rely solely on traditional knowledge and practices if they were to remain relevant in an increasingly technology-driven industry.
At the same time, he cautioned that technological advancement should not come at the expense of the principles that underpin the banking profession.
“Banking may be changing in the way services are delivered, but professionalism, competence, integrity and trust will remain at the heart of the profession. The banker of the future must therefore be technically competent, digitally aware, innovative and deeply committed to ethical practice,” Mr Dzato said.
He commended the CIB-ADB Chapter for establishing the retreat and encouraged members to make continuous professional development part of their careers.
For Mrs Nyante, the gathering was also about creating stronger connections among professionals within ADB.
She said the theme “Recharge, Reconnect and Reinvent” reflected the need for bankers to pause, reassess their professional direction and prepare themselves for a sector being transformed by technology, competition, new risks and changing customer demands.
“The future of banking will require professionals who are prepared to continuously learn, collaborate and reinvent or reposition themselves. This retreat provides us with an opportunity to recharge, strengthen the bonds among us and develop the collective capacity required to contribute meaningfully to the transformation of ADB PLC and the banking profession,” Mrs Nyante said.
She said stronger relationships within the Chapter could create opportunities for mentorship and knowledge-sharing while fostering a greater sense of belonging among members.
The retreat went beyond presentations and technical discussions, with participants taking part in activities designed to encourage interaction and reflection. Committee sessions focused on welfare, learning and development, and membership, while “The Big Conversation” created space for members to exchange views on their professional experiences and the future of banking.
Participants also shared personal career experiences during a session dubbed “Sharing the Thrill.” The programme included industry engagements, feedback sessions and the induction and swearing-in of CIB-ADB Chapter executives and committee members.
Social activities, including a talent show and karaoke night, were also incorporated into the retreat to strengthen camaraderie among members.
The inaugural event comes as ADB places greater emphasis on human capital in pursuit of its strategic ambition to rank among Ghana’s top three banks and be recognised for the quality of its people, processes and performance.
The Chapter said the retreat is expected to provide a continuing platform for professional development, mentorship, leadership building and collaboration, with the broader objective of equipping ADB’s workforce to respond effectively to the changing demands of banking.
