All financial institutions should work during lockdown - Bank of Ghana

The Bank of Ghana in its efforts to ensure the effectiveness of the lockdown directive given by President Akufo-Addo, is urging all banks and financial institutions across the country to trigger their business continuity plans with a minimum number of staff.

In a statement issued by the Central Bank and sighted by GhanaWeb, the BOG says all banks and financial institutions are expected to open their doors to the general public despite the lockdown directive.

The BOG is also advising all banks and financial institutions to observe all health and safety protocols as advised by the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and other relevant authorities, in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana.

President Nana Akufo-Addo in a broadcast last night, Friday March 27, announced a partial lockdown of some parts of the country for two weeks in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Read the full statement below;

BANK OF GHANA NOTICE TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON ACCESS TO BANKING SERVICES DURING THE PERIOD OF RESTRICTED MOVEMENT

Following the address to the nation by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Ghana’s enhanced response to the coronavirus pandemic, on Friday, 27th March, 2020, the Office of the President has clarified that all banks and financial institutions will be opened.

The Bank of Ghana, therefore, wishes to inform Banks, Savings and Loans Companies, Finance Houses, Rural and Community Banks, Microfinance Institutions and Forex Bureaux to trigger their business continuity plans with minimum number of staff, to ensure their doors are open to the general public and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), electronic channels and all payment platforms are functional.

Also, the Bank of Ghana wishes to reiterate our earlier advice that financial institutions observe all health and safety protocols as advised by the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and other relevant authorities, in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The General Public is, therefore, advised to refrain from panic withdrawals and observe all health and safety protocols put in place by the above mentioned institutions.

For further information, please contact us on 0302-665005.

(SGD.) SANDRA THOMPSON (MS) THE SECRETARY

28th March, 2020.