Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited has appointed Mr. Charles Boakye Nimako as its new Board Chair, effective January 1, 2026.
Mr. Nimako succeeds Mrs. Freda Yahan Duplan, who assumed the role in 2020.
Mrs. Duplan steps down from serving as Board Chair since 2020, after completing the maximum six-year tenure.
Throughout her tenure, she demonstrated outstanding leadership, steering the Bank through a period marked by resilience and innovation.
The Bank said she would continue to contribute her extensive experience as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Zenith Bank Ghana.
Mr. Nimako has been a member of Zenith Bank Ghana’s Board since 2023, having served as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Risk and Cyber Information Security Committee.
He brings to his new role a wealth of experience in corporate governance, financial services, and strategic leadership.
Profile of the New Board Chair
Mr. Nimako is currently the Director of Africa Initiatives for Safe Water Network, a U.S.-based NGO focused on market-driven community water solutions.
He established the Safe Water Network Ghana office in May 2010 after holding several senior leadership roles within PepsiCo’s franchise operations in Ghana and across other African markets.
His previous roles include Chief Executive Officer of Beverage Investments Ghana Limited and SBC Beverages Ghana Limited, both PepsiCo franchise holders, as well as Director of Sales and Marketing for Ghana and Franchise Operations Manager for Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
He also served as a Consultant and Project Director for AngoAlissar LDA, a new PepsiCo franchise in Luanda, Angola.
Beyond his corporate leadership, Mr. Nimako’s global experience spans management consulting and professional accounting.
He worked as a Management Consultant with McKinsey & Company in Johannesburg and London, a staff accountant with Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) in Los Angeles, and Audit Manager at Great Western Financial Corporation in Beverly Hills, California.
In addition to his new role at Zenith Bank, Mr. Nimako is the current Board Chair of Unilever Ghana PLC, a position he assumed in November 2025.
He also serves on the boards of Beverage Investments Limited (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 the Stanford Business School in California, USA.
Mr. Henry Onwuzurigbo, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Ghana, described the appointment as fitting and pivotal to the next phase of the Bank’s growth.
“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Nimako as our new Board Chair. Having already served on our Board, Mr. Nimako ‘s appointment ensures a smooth transition and strengthens continuity at the highest level of leadership,” he said.
He said his proven track record of leadership across diverse industries, strategic insight and deep understanding of governance would 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 added.
Mr. Nimako stated, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility and build upon the strong track record of disciplined execution and growth.”
He said together with the Board and Executive Management, “I look forward to advancing Zenith Bank’s vision of excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity in Ghana’s financial landscape.”
