As Ghana prepares for the 2026 budget reading by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, 13 November, attention is turning to state-owned banks long earmarked for recapitalization.
Following the successful injection of GH₵1.4 billion into the National Investment Bank (NIB) earlier this year, hopes are now focused on the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG).
Speaking after inaugurating the reconstituted board of ADB, Dr. Forson told the bank’s leadership: “I want to use this medium to assure you board chairman, Chief Executive and Management of ADB that as I have done for NIB for this year, next year it will be your turn.”
The pledge underscores the government’s intent to strengthen ADB’s financial position and enable it to continue supporting agriculture and related value-chain initiatives. In recent months, ADB has shown signs of improved performance, with growth in profitability and lending activity, reflecting not just internal reforms but also the wider positive trajectory of Ghana’s economic recovery.
CBG, meanwhile, was created in 2018 as part of the government’s financial sector clean-up, taking over the assets and liabilities of failed banks to protect depositors and stabilize confidence.
Nearly seven years later, the bank has grown into one of Ghana’s largest by branch network, yet questions about long-term ownership, governance, and strategy remain unresolved. Persistent operational challenges, legacy issues from the absorbed banks, and pressures from non-performing loans continue to weigh on its performance.
Analysts have suggested adopting a hybrid model that strengthens oversight, aligns lending with both commercial logic and policy priorities, and potentially brings in private capital.
As the budget approaches, key questions remain: How much capital will be allocated to ADB and CBG? Will the injections be phased or direct? And will the recapitalization come with clear governance and operational reforms?
For both banks, the 2026 budget represents not only a chance for fresh resources but also an opportunity to address longstanding structural challenges. Whether the government will use this moment to secure the banks’ long-term stability, while supporting economic growth, remains to be seen.
