Story By: Felix Ernest Odamtten / Mohammed Faisal Mustapha…
The Board Chairman of Ghana Commercial Bank PLC (GCB), Prof. Joshua Alabi, has paid a courtesy call on the Nungua Mantse and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Oboade Notse King Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, in a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening the longstanding relationship between the bank and the Nungua Traditional Council.
The high level meeting formed part of GCB’s broader stakeholder consultations as the bank advances plans to deepen its institutional presence in Nungua, including discussions surrounding the proposed construction of a new banking training school and other initiatives with potential community wide benefits.
Addressing the Traditional Council, Prof. Alabi described GCB as a critical institution in Ghana’s financial architecture, stressing that the bank’s history and continued growth had been closely linked to the country’s economic transformation.
He noted that GCB, formerly known as Ghana Commercial Bank, had evolved considerably since its establishment and had expanded its nationwide footprint to approximately 184 branches, reinforcing its position as one of Ghana’s major banking institutions.
Prof. Alabi attributed the bank’s development to the collective commitment of its board, management and staff, alongside sustained investments in human capital, technology, institutional capacity and customer focused financial services.
He further highlighted the bank’s financial resilience, noting that GCB had continued to record strong performances in recent years despite the difficult economic conditions confronting businesses and households.
“The strength of Ghanaian institutions such as GCB is not only important to our shareholders; it is fundamental to the strength and competitiveness of Ghana’s economy,” Prof. Alabi told the Traditional Council.
He said the success of major Ghanaian companies could contribute significantly to employment creation, investment, skills development and economic expansion, while strengthening Ghana’s ability to compete within the wider African economic environment.
According to him, GCB’s responsibility extends beyond financial returns, with the bank expected to continue supporting initiatives capable of creating sustainable economic and social value for communities across the country.
It was within this broader institutional vision that the proposed banking training school emerged as a significant component of GCB’s development agenda, with the facility expected to enhance professional training and staff capacity.
The proposed institution is expected to provide a platform for continuous learning, professional development and skills enhancement, ultimately strengthening the bank’s ability to deliver efficient and quality financial services to its customers.
Prof. Alabi said the engagement with the Nungua Traditional Council was therefore important because sustainable institutional development required constructive relationships with traditional authorities and communities where major projects were being undertaken.
Welcoming the GCB delegation, Nungua Mantse Oboade Notse King Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III described the visit as significant and said it presented an opportunity to renew an important relationship between one of Ghana’s leading financial institutions and the traditional leadership of Nungua.
The Nungua Mantse commended GCB’s board, management and staff for what he described as the bank’s longstanding contribution to Ghana’s economic development and its support for various sectors of the national economy.
He specifically referenced the bank’s contribution to sectors including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, telecommunications, trade, the creative arts and employment creation, stressing that financial institutions had a major role to play in national development.
“A bank of GCB’s stature must not only be measured by its balance sheet; its greatest legacy must also be seen in the communities and people whose lives it helps to transform,” Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III said.
The Nungua Mantse subsequently called on GCB to consider deepening its corporate social responsibility interventions in Nungua, recalling the bank’s previous contributions to education, health and youth development.
One of his key appeals was for GCB to support the transformation of the Presbyterian School Park in Nungua into a modern astroturf football facility that could serve young people and surrounding educational institutions.
He argued that such an investment would extend beyond the construction of a sporting facility, creating a safe recreational environment, promoting physical fitness, nurturing football talent and providing young people with constructive opportunities.
“If we invest in our young people today, we are investing in the human capital that will lead Ghana tomorrow,” the Nungua Mantse said, urging GCB to consider projects capable of delivering long-term community value.
Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III also appealed to the GCB Board to consider supporting the establishment of a Community based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound in Nungua to improve access to basic healthcare services, particularly for residents who may face difficulties accessing larger health facilities.
He further drew attention to the persistent water challenges confronting parts of Nungua and called for collaboration among GCB, the Traditional Council, government agencies and other development stakeholders to pursue a sustainable solution to the problem.
The Nungua Mantse stressed that the Traditional Council remained prepared to work with GCB to identify practical initiatives that could complement the bank’s institutional objectives while responding to the pressing developmental needs of the community.
The engagement consequently highlighted the growing importance of partnerships between Ghana’s corporate institutions and traditional authorities, particularly in advancing human-capital development, community infrastructure, youth empowerment, healthcare and sustainable economic growth.
Both parties expressed optimism that the engagement would open a new chapter in the relationship between GCB and the Nungua Traditional Council, with the proposed banking training school potentially serving as both an institutional investment and a platform for broader socio-economic collaboration between the bank and the Nungua community.