BoG warns banks and fintechs over disability inclusion deadline
In a fresh notice, the central bank made clear that compliance with its Directive on Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities is not optional and that institutions that fall short could face administrative punishment.
Banks, payment service providers and other regulated financial institutions risk sanctions if they fail to meet the Bank of Ghana’s deadlines for making financial services more accessible to persons with disabilities.
In a fresh notice, the central bank made clear that compliance with its Directive on Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities is not optional and that institutions that fall short could face administrative punishment.
The directive, introduced in January 2025, applies across the regulated financial sector and is intended to ensure that persons with disabilities are not denied fair access to financial products and services.
A notice signed by Acting Secretary Aimee Vyda Quashie and dated 20 April states that institutions are expected to put in place a full disability inclusion framework by 31 December 2026.
That framework includes adopting internal policies, assigning senior officials to lead implementation, carrying out accessibility audits and redesigning products and services to be more inclusive.
The Bank of Ghana says it will actively track how institutions are complying, including whether they are training staff and agents, improving accessibility and embedding disability-sensitive service standards in their operations.
It warned that institutions found in breach could face a range of sanctions, from fines to suspension of authorisation and other regulatory measures.
The central bank also stressed that refusing service to a person solely because of disability is prohibited. It said regulated institutions must offer respectful and priority service, with visible notices to inform customers of that commitment.
As part of the rollout, financial institutions will be required to file yearly reports showing what disability-inclusive measures they have introduced, how much they have spent, what feedback they have received from users and what gaps still remain.
The timetable laid down by the Bank includes key milestones. Institutions are expected to prepare internal disability inclusion policies by 31 July, secure board approval by 30 September and submit the approved policies to the Bank of Ghana by 31 October 2026.
They are also required to organise staff training, carry out audits of both physical and digital service channels and run public awareness activities targeted at persons with disabilities.
By the end of December 2026, institutions must also ensure that call centres and support channels can provide both voice and text feedback, while customer notices on support services must be available in accessible formats such as braille, large print and audio.
In addition, each institution must identify at least one fully accessible branch in every operational zone, in line with standards set by the Ghana Standards Authority.
The Bank says it will keep monitoring compliance on an ongoing basis and may conduct periodic audits where necessary.
Its broader message is that disability inclusion in financial services is now a regulatory obligation, not a voluntary gesture.
