Ghana is racing against time to introduce Islamic banking by the end of 2025, a move projected to position the country as a leader in West African Islamic finance.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has already indicated its readiness to license institutions once supervisory and legal structures are finalized. However, banking consultant Dr. Richmond Atuahene has raised serious concerns that Ghana’s ambitious timeline may prove overly optimistic without urgent reforms.
According to his new research, “Potential Challenges and Issues Facing the Establishment and Operationalization of Islamic Banking System: A Case of Ghana – Policy Recommendations,” the current regulatory and operational framework remains riddled with gaps that could undermine the country’s efforts.
At the heart of the challenge is Ghana’s legal foundation. The nation’s banking statutes were designed exclusively for conventional interest-based institutions, leaving no room for Shariah-compliant financial models. Dr. Atuahene warns that without comprehensive legal amendments and possible constitutional clarifications, Islamic banking products will remain vulnerable to legal disputes.
This gap poses a significant threat to enforcement and compliance. If left unaddressed, it could expose Islamic financial institutions to costly litigation, deterring both investors and customers.
Cultural Resistance and Misconceptions
Another formidable obstacle is cultural resistance. In Ghana’s predominantly Christian society, misconceptions about Islamic banking run deep. Many citizens wrongly believe that Islamic banking is “for Muslims only,” creating an exclusionary perception that could discourage widespread adoption.
Dr. Atuahene emphasizes that unless government and financial institutions embark on a broad-based awareness campaign, public misunderstanding could derail Islamic banking before it even gains traction. Building cultural acceptance is not just about marketing—it is about reshaping perceptions to highlight that Islamic finance is an inclusive model available to all.
Even if regulatory reforms succeed, Ghana faces a critical shortage of the specialized human capital required to run Islamic banks effectively. There are very few Shariah scholars trained in modern finance, law, and economics—skills that are essential for product innovation, compliance, and credibility.
This deficit extends beyond scholars to include general professionals in Islamic finance. Without a robust pipeline of trained personnel, Ghana risks undermining the credibility of its Islamic banking sector and leaving it exposed to operational failures.
Financial Market Rigidities
The consultant’s research also points to significant financial market challenges. Ghana’s conventional banking dominance creates barriers for Islamic banks in liquidity management, interbank transactions, and participation in the treasury market. The absence of Shariah-compliant liquidity tools and profit-sharing instruments further compounds the problem, leaving Islamic banks at a structural disadvantage compared to their conventional counterparts.
Another pressing issue lies in taxation. Since Islamic finance operates through asset-based transactions, these structures may attract multiple layers of tax. Without tax reform, Islamic banks could face higher operating costs compared to conventional banks, making them less competitive and unattractive to consumers.
Ghana’s financial sector is still recovering from its recent banking crisis, where mismanagement and poor governance led to several high-profile failures. Dr. Atuahene warns that unless strong governance frameworks and ethical safeguards are implemented, Islamic banks could fall prey to similar risks.
In addition, weaknesses in accounting standards, institutional structures, and digital infrastructure—including ATMs, online platforms, and cybersecurity systems—could compromise the efficiency of Islamic banking operations.
The Promise and the Peril
Despite these hurdles, there is evidence of growing private sector interest. NylaBank, for instance, has announced plans to launch Africa’s first digital Islamic bank in Ghana by 2025 through a partnership with a local commercial bank. This suggests that the market demand exists, provided that regulatory and structural barriers are addressed.
The stakes are high. A successful rollout could make Ghana a regional hub for Islamic finance, attracting investment from Muslim-majority countries and expanding financial inclusion for underserved communities. Conversely, failure could damage investor confidence and portray Ghana as unprepared for financial innovation.
Dr. Atuahene calls for coordinated action on several fronts. First, constitutional and legal reforms must be prioritized to provide a solid foundation for Shariah-compliant finance. Second, public awareness campaigns are urgently needed to dispel cultural misconceptions. Third, investments must be made in human resource development, particularly in training Shariah scholars and Islamic finance professionals.
Finally, Ghana must develop Shariah-compliant liquidity tools and ensure tax reforms to prevent unfair disadvantages. Without these measures, the ambitious December 2025 timeline risks collapsing under the weight of unresolved challenges.
Ghana’s ambition to become a West African leader in Islamic finance hangs in the balance. While the BoG is pushing ahead with regulatory guidelines, Dr. Atuahene’s research serves as a stark warning that structural, cultural, and governance issues could derail the entire project. The future of Islamic banking in Ghana depends not just on regulations, but on bold political commitment, legal reforms, cultural acceptance, and sustained investment in human capacity.
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