The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana has pledged to boost the training of banking professionals to enable them provide unmatched banking services to customers in the country.
The first female President of the CIB, Reverend Mrs Patricia Sappor made the pledge after she was sworn into office together with three executives to steer the affairs of the institute for the next four years.
Rev Mrs Sappor told journalists after her swearing-in ceremony held at the institute’s plush auditorium in Accra: “We want to reposition the institute to churn out banking professionals who are digital savvy to serve customers of the banks very well”.
She added that technology has redefined banking in Ghana, with the advent of mobile or digital banking, emphasizing that the institute under her leadership would put premium on impacting ICT knowledge into its students.
“Customers’ needs and expectations are changing by the day with a lot more emphasis on bringing convenience to clients and creating Customer Centric Institutions. It is now very critical to keep abreast with changing trends in the market place”.
These Rev Mrs Sappor noted call for banking professionals with unparalleled skills and the highest level of integrity to continue to drive the banking sector of our economy.
“In view of the above, my vision and that of Governing Council of the CIB is to transform the Institute into a World Class, Professional and Financial Learning Centre”, she stated.
Rev Mrs Sappor was confident that they shall achieve this vision through re-engineering the educational process of the institute to churn out innovative and digital savvy Banking Professionals; sourcing for funds and commence with the building of the Ultra-Modern CIB Educational Facility; and pursuing the CIB Presidential Charter and build a strong network of Associate Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIBs).
Earlier, in her acceptance speech, she pledged to collaborate with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to support and strengthen the Non-Bank Financial Institutions such as Micro Finance/ Savings and Loans Institutions in the country.
Rev Mrs Sappor also pledged to work closely with BoG, the Ghana Association of Bankers and other stakeholders to collaborate with government and offer suggestions that will contribute to the growth of the country’s economy
“Working as a team and with a dynamic governing Council we shall support one another to achieve the above. We invite all ACIBs who are willing, and available to support in this journey of building a World Class Professional and Financial Learning Centre to join us”, she stated.
The doors of the Council will remain open to suggestions and feedback that will help improve this great institution, Rev Mrs Sappor added.
She used the occasion to pay glowing tributes to the past presidents of the institute. In her own words : “What we see today as a great banking Institute, was nurtured by visionary presidents who led this institute with exemplary passion and commitment bringing the Institute to this adorable state, having trained over 1000/865 Professional bankers in the banking fraternity”.
To her colleague women, Rev Mrs Sappor who is the first female president of the institute after more than three decades of the institute existence encouraged them that “it is possible to get to the top”.
But she said they must know who they are and believe in themselves, have a purpose, positively distinguish and position themselves, be bold and resilient, and make an impact.
The immediate past President of the CIB Ghana, Mr Clifford Duke Mettle pledged to support Rev Mrs Sappor and her team to deliver. To this end he stated: “My successor is more capable to chalk more successes. Rev, you have my support. You are welcome to contact me any time you need my support”.
Mr Mettle used the opportunity to thank the Governing Council members of the institute for their unflinching support during his term in office.
The Head of Banking Supervision at the BoG, Mr Raymond Amanfu commended the institute for being a strong pillar for the growth and development of the financial sector.
He therefore urged the new executives of the institute to work with the BoG to address the challenges facing the microfinance institutions in the country.
Meanwhile, Rev Mrs Sappor and her three other executives-Vice President, Treasurer, and Executive Member of the institute were sworn into office by a High Court Judge, Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Mensah-Datsa.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
