The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB PLC) has made another significant mark in Ghana’s banking industry with the first-ever retreat of its Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Chapter — a platform aimed at strengthening professionalism, deepening collaboration, and preparing bankers for the rapidly changing future of financial services.
Held in Akosombo on 7th and 8th August 2026, under the theme “Recharge, Reconnect and Reinvent,” the two-day retreat brought together members of the CIB-ADB Chapter from across the country, alongside executives and industry experts, for professional development, mentorship, networking, and team-building activities.
The historic event was led by the President of the CIB-ADB Chapter, Mrs Sylvia Naa Kwakai Nyante, who also serves as Deputy Managing Director in charge of Services at ADB. The Managing Director of ADB, Edward Ato Sarpong, attended as Special Guest, while the Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, Robert Dzato, served as a guest speaker.
Addressing participants, Mrs Nyante described the maiden retreat as more than just a gathering of bankers — calling it an opportunity for members to reconnect, strengthen professional relationships, and reflect on their role in shaping the future of banking.
She noted that the theme speaks directly to today’s banking realities, where institutions and professionals must continuously adapt to technology, changing customer expectations, emerging risks, and growing competition.
“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,” she said.
ADB’s Managing Director, Edward Ato Sarpong, commended the Chapter’s leadership for introducing the retreat, noting that building a stronger, more competitive and customer-focused institution requires deliberate investment in the people driving the bank’s strategy.
He said that while digital technology continues to transform financial services, people remain central to the success of banking institutions, and urged participants to embrace continuous professional development.
“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,” he said.
CIB Ghana’s CEO, Robert Dzato, urged bankers to look beyond traditional approaches as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and changing customer behaviour continue to reshape the industry.
He stressed that despite the pace of technological change, professionalism, competence, integrity and trust remain at the heart of banking.
“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,” he said.
The two-day programme combined professional development with team-building activities. Day one featured a Committee Spotlight Session, where the Welfare, Learning and Development, and Membership Committees outlined their roles, alongside “The Big Conversation” — a discussion session on professional growth and the evolving banking landscape — and “Sharing the Thrill,” where members shared stories from their professional journeys.
Day two featured speaker sessions with industry leaders, and the induction and swearing-in of new executives and committee members of the CIB-ADB Chapter. The retreat also included networking sessions, a talent show, and a karaoke night to build camaraderie among members.
The maiden CIB-ADB Chapter Retreat marks a major step in strengthening ADB’s professional banking culture and building a lasting platform for learning, mentorship and leadership development.
For ADB, the event reinforces its commitment to building a workforce not just ready to respond to the future of banking, but empowered to help shape it.
