Theresa Lardi Awuni during the incident
The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has criticised Okaikwei North Member of Parliament, Theresa Lardi Awuni, over an alleged confrontation with staff of a member bank after the branch remained open during the recent national clean-up exercise.
According to GAB, the incident, which gained attention on social media through circulating videos and commentary, requires clarification to ensure the public understands the legal basis for the bank's operations on the day.
Watch as Okaikwei North MP confronts bank over failure to clean surroundings
In a statement issued on July 13, 2026, it explained that banks have consistently been recognised as essential service providers in Ghana, a designation established during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) and the accompanying Executive Instrument (E.I. 65).
It noted that the classification has remained unchanged under successive governments.
"It is important to recall that during the nationwide restrictions imposed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Ghana, acting under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012), issued the Imposition of Restrictions (Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic) Instrument, 2020 (E.I. 65, Second Schedule, Part A, Item 13).
"This Instrument, together with subsequent instruments issued under Act 1012, expressly listed banks and other financial institutions among the essential service providers exempted from the restrictions on movement and business operations imposed during the partial lockdown of the Greater Accra and Kumasi metropolitan areas", it stated.
Ahead of the exercise, the Association said it engaged the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council on July 9, 2026, to seek clarification on the participation of banks.
It later received the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs' directive stating that while non-essential businesses were to close between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm, institutions providing essential and emergency services were exempt.
"As the Bank of Ghana, banks and other specialised deposit-taking institutions are listed and classified among essential service providers, member bank branches were exempted from this closure requirement," the statement said.
The Association further stated that member banks were instructed to keep their branches open while staff simultaneously participated in cleaning the immediate surroundings of their premises, a directive that was implemented across the country.
Against this backdrop, GAB described reports of the MP's conduct at the bank branch as "deeply concerning and unfortunate."
"It is against this background that GAB finds it deeply concerning and unfortunate to learn of an encounter in which a Member of Parliament is reported to have entered a member bank's branch, forced her way to the manager's office, and confronted branch staff including reportedly describing a staff member engaged in the clean-up exercise in demeaning terms over the branch's decision to remain open," the Association stated.
GAB stressed that while it would not defend any member bank that violated a lawful government directive, it would equally not tolerate the intimidation or abuse of bank employees who were acting in compliance with the law.
"We wish to state clearly that the branch in question remained open to the public during the exercise precisely because banks are classified as essential service providers, and that, notwithstanding this, staff of the bank actively participated in the clean-up exercise as directed by GAB and in the spirit of the President's national call to action," it said.
The Association further maintained that the banking sector remains a law-abiding and significant contributor to the country's tax revenue and therefore expects its staff to be treated with respect while performing their duties.
Calling for restraint, GAB urged public office holders and all stakeholders to engage member banks in a constructive manner whenever concerns arise.
It reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the government, Parliament and other state institutions to promote Ghana's economic development while ensuring uninterrupted banking services for the public.
See the full statement below:
JKB/VPO
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