The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has issued a strong public rebuttal following a viral social media video showing a confrontation between the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Okaikwei North Constituency, Theresa Lardi Awuni, and staff at a local bank branch during the recent national clean-up exercise.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, 10 July 2026, quickly gained traction online after footage emerged of the lawmaker confronting branch workers.

According to the MP's filmed commentary and subsequent social media reactions, she targeted the branch for remaining open during the sanitation drive and indicated that she had contacted the bank’s Managing Director to express her displeasure, stating in local parlance that "she has spoken her mind to him."

In a swift response released on Monday, July 13, 2026, GAB Chief Executive Officer John Awuah placed the full context of the encounter before the public, fiercely defending the bank's employees.

GAB stated that the lawmaker forced her way into the manager’s office and used "demeaning terms" and abusive language to describe a staff member who was actively participating in the cleanup.

"While we do not condone any conduct by a member bank that flouts a lawful government directive, we will not accept conduct by any individual or group of persons who seek to demean, intimidate, or undermine the integrity of our staff," Awuah stated in the release.

GAB clarified that the branch was legally permitted to remain open. While the Ministry of Local Government ordered commercial establishments to close from 6 PM to 1 PM for the clean-up exercise following recent floods, "essential and emergency services" were explicitly exempted. Under Ghanaian law — dating back to the Imposition of Restrictions Act of 2020 — banks are officially classified as essential service providers.

The association emphasized that the staff involved were acting in full compliance with government guidance, having been instructed by GAB to keep doors open for customers while simultaneously cleaning the immediate surroundings of their premises.

Calling the lawmaker's actions an unfortunate act of intimidation against a law-abiding, tax-paying sector, GAB has called for a more measured and constructive engagement on matters of public interest moving forward.