On Thursday, September 17, 2026, Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC Managing Director Dr Benjamin Dzoboku appeared on Joy FM’s Personality Profile programme with Lexis Bill to argue that Ghana’s growth challenges stem more from a lack of discipline than from scarce resources.
Dzoboku said, “The problem that we have in this country is not that we don't have resources but that we don't have discipline in society. If the people are disciplined, this country can be turned overnight.” He linked the need for order and responsibility to the country’s ability to transform itself.
He warned that a failure to maintain discipline and accountability could lead to fraud, noting, “But you leave them; you see what happens, they will defraud you.” The former cattle herder stressed the importance of institutional controls, especially in the financial sector, where “controls, accountability and responsible conduct are critical to protecting customers and maintaining confidence.”
Dzoboku’s reflections trace back to his childhood in a farming family, where he spent time herding cattle. He recalled how the animals would stay within a designated area, feeding and resting without wandering off, a behaviour he likened to the orderly conduct he expects from people and staff alike.
“You can even take the cows to the bush and leave them there. They won't go anywhere. They will eat around, and then they will sleep. You can go and come and meet them, and you come, and they will be there,” he said. He said the lesson informs his leadership style: calm but firm, insisting on clear responsibilities and disciplined action.
Dzoboku concluded that discipline is not merely rule‑enforcement but a foundational principle that structures institutions and societies to function effectively. Without it, even abundant resources may fail to translate into meaningful development.
What follows is a call for Ghanaian leaders and citizens alike to adopt a disciplined approach if the nation is to realise its full potential. The banking sector, he added, must model this behaviour to restore confidence and spur growth.
