Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has made history with the appointment of Pearl Nkrumah as its new Managing Director, effective October 1, 2025.
Her elevation to the top office marks the first time in the Bank’s history that a woman has held this position, a milestone that underscores Access Bank’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and leadership excellence.
Ms. Nkrumah succeeds Olumide Olatunji, who has led the Bank since 2018 and now transitions into a new executive role in Nigeria within Access Bank PLC, the parent company. Her appointment received the nod from both the Board of Directors and the Bank of Ghana, in line with regulatory approval processes.
With over 25 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector, Pearl Nkrumah brings to her new role a strong track record in retail and transactional banking, commercial banking, risk management, and digital transformation.
She previously served as Executive Director for Retail & Digital Banking at Access Bank Ghana, as well as Head of Retail Business for Access Africa subsidiaries (excluding Nigeria), where she spearheaded retail strategies across 15 markets. She also holds the position of Chairperson of the Council of the Ghana Stock Exchange, representing listed companies.
Before joining Access Bank in 2022, Ms. Nkrumah built her career with global and regional financial giants. She worked at Standard Chartered Bank from 1998 to 2012, and later at Stanbic Bank, where she held several senior roles in commercial and business banking. Her extensive background makes her well positioned to lead Access Bank Ghana into its next chapter.
Board Endorsement and Confidence
Speaking on the appointment, Ama Bawuah, Chair of the Board of Directors at Access Bank Ghana, praised Ms. Nkrumah’s leadership credentials and emphasized the strategic importance of her elevation.
“We are pleased to welcome Pearl Nkrumah as our new Managing Director. Having worked alongside her on the local board over the past three years, her appointment is a testament to Access Bank’s commitment to diversity and her extensive track record and leadership capabilities. We are confident that she will lead the bank into its next phase of growth, building on the successes of her predecessor, while inspiring future generations of women in leadership.”
Ama Bawuah
Outgoing Managing Director, Olumide Olatunji, who successfully steered Access Bank Ghana for seven years, expressed his delight in handing over the reins to Ms. Nkrumah.
“It has been a privilege to serve as Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana. During my tenure, I have witnessed the dedication of our people and the resilience of our institution. I am delighted to hand over to Pearl Nkrumah, whose leadership and expertise are well recognized in the industry. I have no doubt she will continue to strengthen the bank’s position and lead it to even greater heights.”
Olumide Olatunji
Pearl Nkrumah’s Vision for Access Bank Ghana
In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Nkrumah described her new role as both an honor and a responsibility.
“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 in line with our vision to be the world’s most respected African bank and a true partner in national progress.”
Ms. Nkrumah
Her statement reflects a leadership style that blends vision with inclusivity, a quality that will be vital as the Bank strengthens its market position amid Ghana’s evolving financial landscape.
Building on Strong Foundations
Access Bank Ghana has in recent years gained strong investor and customer confidence, evident in growth in share price, balance sheet strength, deposits, and strategic partnerships with global institutions such as IFC, MasterCard, and Norfund.
The Bank’s achievements under Olatunji’s leadership include recognition as Best Bank in Ghana (Euromoney 2023 & 2025, Global Finance 2024 & 2025), Best Bank ESG (Euromoney 2024), Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing (Karlsruhe Awards 2025), and several accolades for digital banking and corporate social responsibility.
With Ms. Nkrumah at the helm, stakeholders expect not just continuity but accelerated growth, deeper digital transformation, and broader financial inclusion.
A New Dawn for Women in Leadership
Pearl Nkrumah’s appointment symbolizes more than a change of leadership—it represents progress for gender diversity in Ghana’s banking sector. Her rise to the top seat is expected to inspire women across industries to break barriers and pursue leadership opportunities at the highest levels.
As Access Bank Ghana enters this new era, the financial sector and the broader business community will be watching closely as Ms. Nkrumah charts a course for growth, innovation, and sustainability.
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