The government has stepped up efforts to sanitise lending operations at the Ghana EXIM Bank, recovering GH¢107 million in defaulted loans and referring several unexplained loan disbursements to security agencies for investigation.
The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, disclosed this on Wednesday, January 21, while addressing the Government Accountability Series, where she outlined reforms aimed at strengthening credit discipline and protecting public funds.
She revealed that in 2025 alone, Ghana EXIM Bank disbursed GH¢304 million under what she described as a strict credit creation framework intended to ensure that public financing supports productive economic activity and is repaid.
According to the Minister, the recovery of GH¢107 million followed intensified efforts by the Bank to track and retrieve loans that had previously not been serviced, adding that recovery actions on legacy loans were still ongoing.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare noted that while some defaulters were being pursued through legal processes, other cases had been escalated to security agencies after internal reviews raised serious concerns about how certain loans were approved and disbursed.
She stressed that government-backed loans were not handouts and would no longer be treated as “free money,” insisting that beneficiaries must demonstrate clear economic value and repayment capacity before accessing funds.
“This is not money for the boys or money for the girls. You must meet the requirements, show how the loan will benefit the economy, and demonstrate the ability to repay,” she said.
The Minister explained that the referrals to security agencies were necessary in cases where loan disbursements could not be properly accounted for, underscoring government’s determination to enforce accountability and deter abuse of public financial institutions.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening oversight at Ghana EXIM Bank, improving credit quality, and ensuring that the Bank remains a credible vehicle for supporting trade, agribusiness, and industrial growth.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare said the reforms would help restore confidence in the Bank’s operations while safeguarding public resources and promoting responsible lending that contributes to national development.
