Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) accounted for over half of all cash suppression cases within Ghana's Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDI) sector in 2025. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) reported that RCBs were responsible for 56 of the 109 cash suppression incidents. These cases represent 51% of all such reported frauds in the sector for the year.
This concentration of fraud occurred despite a significant decrease in overall fraud incidents. Cash suppression cases across the SDI sector fell sharply by 59%, from 267 in 2024 to 109 in 2025. However, the financial exposure from cash suppression increased to GHS 1.7 million from GHS 1.6 million. RCBs alone accounted for 90% of this GHS 1.7 million cash suppression value at risk.
This trend impacts Ghana's financial inclusion efforts, as RCBs are vital for serving rural communities. They provide essential banking services where larger commercial banks are often absent. The increased financial risk from fraud in these institutions can undermine public trust and financial stability in the regions they serve. The central bank's findings underscore persistent vulnerabilities in a key segment of the financial system despite broader improvements in fraud management across the SDI sector.
The Bank of Ghana's 2025 Fraud Report highlighted the specific challenges faced by RCBs. The report noted that while overall fraud cases across specialised deposit-taking institutions declined by 47%, the financial value at risk rose. The total value at risk from all types of fraud in the SDI sector increased by 77% to approximately GHS 8 million, up from GHS 4.5 million in 2024.
The central bank stated these findings necessitate stronger internal controls within specialised deposit-taking institutions, especially RCBs. Improved cash management procedures and enhanced fraud detection mechanisms are crucial steps. Implementing these measures will help reduce operational risks and protect customer funds. Addressing these weaknesses is essential for maintaining the integrity of Ghana's financial system and safeguarding the interests of individuals in rural areas who rely on these banks.