A Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Based Analysis of Corporate Governance Disclosure Reporting on the Websites of Ghanaian Listed Banks

Abstract

The study examined the web-based disclosure practices of governance information among listed banks in Ghana. Based on the G4 sustainability framework produced by the Global reporting Initiative (GRI), the study undertook a content analysis of the corporate websites of the banks considered. Banks included in the study were Access Bank Plc, Agricultural Development Bank, CAL Bank, Ghana Commercial Bank, ECO Bank, Republic Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank. The finding of the study suggests a general low-level disclosure of governance information among Ghanaian listed Banks. Specifically, the study found that apart from disclosures on organizational profile, listed banks in Ghana do not report information on governance aspects pertaining to organizational strategy, stakeholder engagement, governance process, and ethical values and integrity. Despite the general low-level disclosure of governance information, access bank proved to be an exception as it reported the most governance information on its website compared to the other banks. The study therefore recommends that banks in Ghana adopt a standard framework of reporting governance information such as the GRI framework, and Thompson Reuters Asset 4 sustainability framework.