Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has appointed Pearl Nkrumah as its new Managing Director, with effect from October 1, 2025
Her appointment, which received approval from both the Bank’s Board of Directors and the Bank of Ghana, marks a historic milestone as she becomes the institution’s first female Managing Director since its entry into the Ghanaian market.
Nkrumah succeeds Olumide Olatunji, who has led the bank since 2018 and will now assume a new executive role with the parent company, Access Bank Plc, in Nigeria.
Before her elevation, Nkrumah served as Executive Director for Retail & Digital Banking at Access Bank Ghana and also headed Retail Business for Access Africa subsidiaries (excluding Nigeria), overseeing operations across 15 markets.
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She is also the Chairperson of the Council of the Ghana Stock Exchange, representing listed companies.
With more than 25 years of experience in banking, she has worked with Standard Chartered Bank (1998–2012) and Stanbic Bank (2012–2022), where she held senior roles in commercial and business banking.
Commenting on the appointment, Ama Bawuah, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, lauded Nkrumah’s leadership credentials, saying:
“Her appointment is a testament to Access Bank’s commitment to diversity and her proven track record. We are confident she will steer the bank into its next growth phase while inspiring future generations of women in leadership.”
Outgoing MD Olumide Olatunji also expressed confidence in his successor, noting her industry reputation and ability to build on the bank’s achievements.
In her acceptance remarks, Nkrumah described her appointment as a privilege, pledging to deliver “superior value to customers, shareholders, and communities” in line with the bank’s vision of being “the world’s most respected African bank.”
Under Olatunji’s leadership, Access Bank Ghana strengthened investor confidence, expanded its customer base, and won multiple awards 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).
Nkrumah’s appointment is seen as a strategic move that underscores Access Bank’s succession planning, gender inclusion, and commitment to growth.
Image Credit: African Shapers
