Thinking beyond risk key to building resilient institutions – Stanbic Bank executive
Organisations seeking to remain competitive in an increasingly volatile global environment must move beyond traditional approaches to risk management and intentionally build institutions that are resilient by design
Barbara Dede Ama Okai-Tettey, the Head of Business Enablement at Stanbic Bank LTD, emphasized during the Risk Summit 2026 that organizations must shift away from conventional risk management practices. Delivering her speech under the title "Thinking Beyond Risk: The True Foundation of Institutional Resilience," Ms. Okai-Tettey argued that resilience should not be evaluated based on an organization's capacity to handle crises but on the quality of its thinking before disruptions occur.
She highlighted the evolving global risk landscape, which includes geopolitical instability, cyber threats, AI, climate change, financial crime, and economic uncertainty. Okai-Tettey stressed that resilient institutions are those that cultivate critical thinking, rapid adaptation, and sound decision-making under pressure. She clarified that resilience is not about merely imposing stronger controls or additional policies; instead, it hinges on strong leadership, robust governance, and a culture that promotes curiosity, constructive challenge, and disciplined decision-making.
While policies and controls are essential, she maintained that true resilience originates from the quality of leadership and the strength of institutional culture. Okai-Tettey pointed out that crises often expose pre-existing vulnerabilities within organizations, such as weaknesses in governance, decision-making, or cultural norms.
Therefore, building resilience involves identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities proactively. She also noted that resilience is a collective responsibility across the organization, not solely the domain of risk, compliance, and assurance teams. The risk professional's role is expanding, requiring them to assist organizations in navigating uncertainty by balancing opportunities with accountability and fostering sustainable business outcomes.
Governance frameworks need to evolve alongside the changing environment, as advances in technology, shifting stakeholder expectations, and interconnected global risks necessitate continuous strengthening of systems and leadership. Okai-Tettey urged leaders to embrace environments where constructive challenge is encouraged, diverse perspectives are valued, and difficult discussions occur before significant decisions become critical.
She also suggested that true institutional resilience is a long-term strategic investment rather than merely a risk mitigation strategy. Ultimately, the quality of an organization's resilience is determined by the quality of its thinking, not by the absence of challenges.
Written by urgent.news from Joy Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
