First Bank Ghana has introduced stricter internal procedures governing how employees engage with journalists and respond to media enquiries, requiring all communications with the press to be centrally coordinated and approved before publication.
The new guidelines, outlined in an internal communication titled “Responding to Media Queries,” direct staff to immediately refer all media enquiries to the Bank’s Marketing and Corporate Communications (M&CC) department.
According to the document, the policy is intended to ensure that responses to the media accurately reflect the official position of First Bank Ghana and are handled consistently across all levels of engagement.
The bank noted that media enquiries may come from newspapers, magazines, television, radio and online platforms, and could originate from local, regional, national or international media organisations.
Under the policy, the Chief Team Lead of M&CC is required to inform the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of any contact with the media.
Staff have also been instructed not to comment on issues relating to the bank or its stakeholders without prior approval from the communications department.
The guidelines further state that all media communications must be approved by the MD/CEO and the CTL of M&CC, as well as the Head of Media and External Relations, before they are submitted to any media organisation.
The document indicates that any materials or projects requiring media engagement must follow the bank’s established corporate communications procedures.
It also provides that where a response may affect other organisations, those entities should be notified before the information is released.
First Bank Ghana said responses to media enquiries would be issued with due regard to journalists’ deadlines where reasonable notice has been provided.
The policy also places restrictions on interviews, filming and photography involving the bank’s executives and senior management, stating that such requests will only be granted after obtaining the necessary internal approvals.
In addition, the guidelines remind staff to respect copyright laws and ensure that references and sources are appropriately cited in any published material.
The move forms part of the bank’s broader media and external relations framework aimed at strengthening communication controls, protecting corporate reputation and ensuring accurate dissemination of information.
