Sylvia Inkoom Appointed CEO of First National Bank Ghana

Sylvia Inkoom has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank Ghana, with her tenure set to officially begin on July 1, 2026. Her appointment reflects the bank’s strategic direction to expand financial inclusion while delivering seamless, customer-focused banking services across the country.

She takes over from Warren Adams, who has led the institution since 2022 and will transition into a new position within the wider FirstRand Group.

With over two decades of experience in the banking sector, Ms Inkoom brings a wealth of expertise spanning relationship management, treasury operations, global markets, finance, and structured transactions. Her appointment, which remains subject to approval by the Bank of Ghana, highlights the bank’s commitment to strengthening its digital banking capabilities and delivering greater value to customers.

Prior to this elevation, Ms Inkoom served as Executive Director and Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at First National Bank Ghana. In that capacity, she played a key role in strengthening client relationships and expanding the bank’s corporate and investment banking portfolio.

Chairman of the Board, Emmanuel Idun, welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence in her leadership and industry knowledge.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited about Sylvia’s elevation to the CEO role. We are confident that her deep understanding of the Ghanaian banking industry will enable us to deliver the relevant solutions to our clients, as well as excellent banking service. Her experience will help unlock further value in our banking services and expand our existing offerings to help Ghanaians achieve their financial goals.”

Mr Idun also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing CEO, praising his leadership and impact on the bank’s growth trajectory.

“We are deeply grateful to Warren for his stewardship, under which the bank’s foundation was strengthened and positioned as a credible entity within Ghana’s banking sector. His tenure was marked by a consistent commitment to building a high-performing team and fostering a culture anchored in customer-centricity and excellence. Warren’s leadership has created the conditions from which Sylvia and the broader team can confidently accelerate the bank’s next phase of growth.”

Before joining First National Bank Ghana’s executive leadership, Ms Inkoom served as Deputy Managing Director at UBA Ghana, where she gained extensive exposure to both local and international banking operations.

Her professional credentials include fellowship with the Institute of Leadership and Management and membership in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. She also holds an executive certificate in Corporate Finance from the London School of Economics and a certificate in Strategic Client Management from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.

Academically, she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA in Finance from the University of Ghana Business School.

Her appointment has received strong endorsement from Bydon Longwe, Chief Executive Officer for Broader Africa at FirstRand, who expressed optimism about her ability to drive growth and deliver sustainable impact.

“I look forward to seeing Sylvia leverage her wealth of experience and deep understanding of client relations to steer our business forward and provide sustainable solutions that benefit the communities in which we serve.”

Outgoing CEO Warren Adams also voiced confidence in her leadership, stating:

“With our proven customer-centric approach and the quality of our team, Sylvia’s leadership will enable us to take on more opportunities to move First National Bank forward. In her very capable hands, the team has all it takes to contribute to becoming a significant market player and supporting the overall growth and quality of the banking industry in Ghana.”