Pearl Nkrumah has been named Managing Director of Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, effective October 1, 2025.
The Board of Directors and Bank of Ghana have approved her appointment in accordance with legal requirements.
Since the Bank’s founding in Ghana, Ms Nkrumah will be the first female Managing Director.
She takes over for Olumide Olatunji, who has been in charge of the Bank since 2018 and is now moving into a new executive position in Nigeria with Access Bank PLC, the parent company.
Pearl Nkrumah’s portfolio
Before her appointment, Pearl was in charge of the bank’s retail banking strategy in 15 markets across the continent as Executive Director for Retail & Digital Banking at Access Bank (Ghana) Plc and Head of Retail Business for Access Africa subsidiaries (apart from Nigeria). In addition, Pearl represents listed companies as the Chairperson of the Council of the Ghana Stock Exchange.
Before becoming Executive Director of Access Bank in 2022, Ms Nkrumah was employed at Standard Chartered Bank, where she started her career from 1998 to 2012.
In 2012, she worked for Stanbic Bank, holding several leadership roles in business and commercial banking.
She brings with her more than 25 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry, a wealth of knowledge in various areas, including risk management, digital transformation, retail and transactional banking, and commercial banking.
Commenting on the appointment, Ms Ama Bawuah, Chair of the Board of Directors at Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, said: “We are pleased to welcome Pearl Nkrumah as our new Managing Director. Having worked alongside Pearl 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 growth phase, building on her predecessor’s successes, while inspiring future generations of women in leadership.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Olumide Olatunji for his exemplary service and his immense contribution to building Access Bank Ghana Plc over the years into the formidable business it is today.”
In her remarks, the incoming Managing Director, Ms Nkrumah, said: “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 the 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”.
Pearl Nkrumah’s appointment strengthens Access Bank’s leadership team
Ms Nkrumah’s appointment demonstrates the Bank’s dedication to strengthening its leadership team and promoting diversity and inclusion programs as part of its extensive succession planning efforts.
She is anticipated to build on the accomplishments of her predecessor, Olumide Olatunji, who led the Bank to notable milestones and successes.
Growth in Access Bank’s share price, balance sheet, and customer deposits over the last few years, as well as collaborations with multilateral organisations like IFC, MasterCard, and Norfund, among others, demonstrate the bank’s tremendous investor and customer confidence.
Access Bank Ghana’s Awards
Additionally, the Bank has received numerous industry and international accolades for its sustainability and performance. Among these are Best Bank in Ghana (Euromoney 2023 & 2025, Global Finance, 2024 & 2025), Best Bank ESG (Euromoney 2024), Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing (Karlsruhe Awards 2025), Best Digital Bank (2023), and Best CSR Bank (Euromoney 2023, SSI in 2020, 2021 & 2023).
Expressing confidence in his successor, the outgoing Managing Director, Olumide Olatunji, noted: “It has been a privilege to serve as Managing Director of Access Bank (Ghana) Plc over the past 7 years. I have witnessed our people’s dedication and our institution’s resilience during my tenure.
“I am delighted to hand over to Pearl Nkrumah, whose leadership and expertise are well recognised in the industry. She will continue to strengthen the bank’s position and lead it to even greater heights”.