The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has clarified that commercial banks across the country actively balanced public service with national duty during the recent two-day National General Cleaning exercise directed by the President following recent floods.

In a public statement issued on Monday, 13 July 2026, GAB Chief Executive Officer John Awuah detailed how the banking sector structured its participation to support the national sanitation drive without compromising critical financial operations.

On Thursday, 9 July 2026, GAB formally engaged the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to establish an operational framework for the exercise. The subsequent directive from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs mandated that non-essential businesses, shops, and corporate organisations remain closed between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm to ensure full civic participation. However, the directive explicitly exempted institutions providing essential and emergency services.

Because the Bank of Ghana, commercial banks, and specialised deposit-taking institutions are legally classified as essential service providers under Ghanaian law — a status settled during the 2020 pandemic restrictions under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) — branches were not required to close their doors.

To support the national cleanup, GAB directed all member banks to keep their branches functional to serve the public while simultaneously deploying staff to actively clean and maintain the immediate surroundings of their respective branch premises. GAB noted that member banks successfully executed this dual approach nationwide, ensuring that the banking needs of households and businesses were met while fulfilling the President's national call to action.