Africa-Press – Ghana. The Professional and Managerial Staff Union (PMSU) of GCB Bank PLC has held its sixth Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Ho, bringing together over 300 delegates from across the country.
The event was held on August 23 under the theme: “Strengthening the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Sector for Economic Transformation in Ghana – The Role of GCB Bank PLC.”
Alhaji Alhassan Farihan, Managing Director of GCB Bank, underscored the critical role of MSMEs in Ghana’s economy, describing them as the “lifeblood of the nation.”
He noted that GCB Bank was committed to driving innovation and financial inclusion to empower small businesses and traders.
“We are walking the talk. We’ve launched MSME group loans, introduced digital innovations, and are exploring partnerships with institutions like the Kenya Commercial Bank to adapt instant mobile loan solutions for Ghana,” he said.
“Imagine a market woman being able to access GH¢500 in real-time through our app to restock her business. That is the future GCB Bank is working towards.”
He further revealed that the bank was collaborating with the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) to deliver long-term, competitively priced loans to MSMEs in high-impact sectors such as agribusiness, ICT, and manufacturing.
Touching on talent development within the bank, Alhaji Farihan assured staff that management was committed to grooming in-house professionals into world-class experts across industries including energy, mining, oil, and gas.
He emphasised that bringing in external expertise should not be seen as replacing staff but as complementing and strengthening the institution.
“We must guard against what I call the ‘autopsy of the familiar’—doing the same things repeatedly. New perspectives are an investment in our collective future,” he said, assuring staff of continuous training opportunities and career growth.
Outgoing PMSU Chairman, Mr. Muhammed Kamil Ismail, praised the strong collaboration between management and the union, which he described as a masterclass in mature, collaborative unionism.
He highlighted GCB’s strides in digital innovation, including the launch of the Digital Salary Advance, which credits accounts in less than 30 seconds.
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“GCB Bank is not just a financial institution; it is a priceless national asset. We must jealously guard the industrial harmony that has allowed the bank to remain an industry leader,” Mr. Ismail said, while urging his successors to continue strengthening management-union relations.
Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, who also addressed the conference, commended PMSU for its commitment to dialogue and professional development.
He described the conference theme as timely and aligned with government’s agenda to transform the MSME sector under the proposed 24-Hour Economy initiative.
“MSMEs are the backbone of job creation and local development. By expanding credit facilities, enhancing financial literacy, and tailoring solutions for SMEs, GCB Bank is positioning itself as a key driver of Ghana’s economic transformation,” he stated
The Minister added that GCB’s efforts also aligned with the 2025 Budget theme, “Resetting the Economy for the Ghana We Want,” which prioritizes fiscal discipline, entrepreneurship, and MSME support.
Delegates at the conference deliberated on strategies to further enhance the bank’s role in MSME growth, strengthen professional development among staff, and deepen GCB’s contribution to national economic transformation.
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