Zenith Bank Ghana names Charles Boakye Nimako as new board chair
Zenith Bank Ghana has entered a new chapter in its leadership journey with the appointment of Charles Boakye Nimako as Board Chair, effective January 1, 2026. His elevation marks the end of Freda Yahan Duplan’s six-year tenure, during which she steered the institution through a period of resilience and innovation.
Although Duplan has stepped down from the chairmanship, she will remain on the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director, ensuring continuity and lending her experience to the Bank’s strategic direction.
Nimako’s appointment comes after three years of service on the Board, where he distinguished himself as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk and Cyber Security Committee. His track record in governance and financial services positions him to guide Zenith Bank into its next phase of growth.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Henry Onwuzurigbo welcomed the appointment, describing it as pivotal for the Bank’s ambitions. “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Nimako as our new Board Chair. His prior service on the Board ensures a seamless transition and continuity at the highest level of leadership. Mr. Nimako’s proven leadership across diverse industries, strategic insight, and deep governance expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position in Ghana’s banking sector. We look forward to working closely with him to drive innovation, enhance customer experience, and deliver sustainable growth,” he said.
Nimako, in his remarks, expressed gratitude and a forward-looking vision. “I am honoured to assume this responsibility and to build on the Bank’s strong legacy of disciplined execution and growth. Together with the Board and Executive Management, I look forward to advancing Zenith Bank’s vision of excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity within Ghana’s financial landscape,” he stated.
Beyond Zenith Bank, Nimako’s career reflects a blend of corporate leadership, consulting, and governance across Africa and beyond. He currently serves as Director of Africa Initiatives at Safe Water Network, a U.S.-based NGO focused on market-driven community water solutions, where he established the Ghana office in 2010.
His professional journey includes senior roles within PepsiCo’s franchise operations across multiple African markets, as well as leadership positions at Beverage Investments Ghana Limited and SBC Beverages Ghana Limited. He has also worked with McKinsey & Company in Johannesburg and London, Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) in Los Angeles, and Great Western Financial Corporation in California.
In addition to his new role at Zenith Bank, Nimako chairs the Board of Unilever Ghana PLC and serves on the boards of Beverage Investments Ltd (Pepsi-Cola) and Beverly Ranch Ghana Limited. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and holds an MBA in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
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