Absa Bank Ghana cemented its reputation as a leading force in corporate governance and workplace excellence after winning 13 awards at the 5th National Governance and Business Leadership Awards (NGBLA 2025).

The ceremony, hosted by the Governance and Business Boardroom, recognised outstanding organisations and individuals for innovation in human resources, people strategy, and workplace practices across Africa.

This sweeping victory positions Absa as a pioneer in redefining employee experiences while pushing forward workplace transformation within Ghana and beyond.

Among the standout recognitions was Best Workplace for Financial Services & Insurance – Africa 2025, a prestigious honour underscoring Absa’s commitment to setting benchmarks in employee satisfaction and operational excellence across the continent.

The bank’s Human Capital team emerged as the HR Team of the Year (Overall), highlighting its exceptional ability to drive people-first strategies. Two of its leaders were also celebrated:

William Easmon, Human Capital Director, was named Chief Human Resource Officer of the Year.
Prince Tettey Nartey won the coveted HR Rising Star of the Year award.

Other key awards included:

Best Diversity & Inclusion Strategy
Best Employee Wellbeing Programme
Best Executive & Leadership Development Programme
Best Social Impact Initiative
Best Women Development & Leadership Programme
HR Excellence in Banking & Finance
Best Reward & Recognition Strategy
Best Talent Management Strategy
Employer Brand Leadership (Large Enterprise)

Each award reflected Absa’s all-encompassing approach to HR – from wellbeing and leadership development to talent management and social impact.

Recognition Beyond the Awards

The evening was doubly memorable as William Easmon appeared on the cover of the Special Governance & Business Leadership edition of Boardroom Magazine. He was featured alongside Sandra Thompson, Secretary of the Bank of Ghana, and Nick Danso Agyei, Executive Chairman of Ghana Link Network Services. This recognition highlighted Easmon’s influence in shaping the future of workplace leadership in Ghana.

In his acceptance speech, Easmon shared: “I am deeply honoured and humbled by the recognition our Human Capital team has received tonight”.

“This success is a tribute to every colleague who lives and breathes our people-first strategy every day. As we celebrate these milestones, our forward ambition remains clear: to build a workplace that not only excels within Ghana but inspires across Africa – where employee well-being, diversity, leadership development, and innovation are at the heart of our DNA.”
William Easmon

At the core of Absa Bank Ghana’s recognition is its people-first strategy, a philosophy that prioritises employee well-being, inclusivity, and growth opportunities. The bank’s HR innovations have set a new bar for financial institutions, proving that business success is deeply intertwined with employee empowerment.

Through tailored leadership programmes, targeted diversity initiatives, and continuous employee engagement, Absa has demonstrated that sustainable growth comes from investing in people. Its recognition as a leader in employee well-being and development further underscores its ability to blend profitability with social responsibility.

The NGBLA 2025 awards reinforce Absa’s position as not just a financial institution but also a pacesetter in workplace innovation across Africa. With Africa’s workplace landscape rapidly evolving, Absa’s holistic approach reflects how corporations can balance financial performance with human capital excellence.

The awards also highlight the role of financial institutions in leading workplace transformation. Absa’s success serves as a model for other organisations seeking to align governance, business leadership, and employee satisfaction with long-term growth.