Akufo-Addo commissioning the Ecobank Building in Accra
Akufo-Addo commissioning the Ecobank Building in Accra

Ecobank Ghana has commissioned its new ultramodern glass office in Accra on March 7, 2018.

The commissioning had President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the Special Guest of honour as well as other dignitaries such as, the Minister of Finance, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and other prominent government officials.

The CEO of Ecobank Transitional Incorporated, the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana was also in attendance with other Ecobank Board members, senior management and staff.

The New Ecobank Head Office building is a customer centric ultramodern edifice with two towers sitting on a podium and two levels underground. The Property covers a 27000 square meter area. The first tower (A) is a 14-floor block of Corporate Offices, board rooms, meeting rooms, staff training room, executive dining area and a rooftop executive cocktail lounge.

There are 27 meeting rooms and 2 executive board rooms, a staff gym and a media room. The second Tower (B) is a 5-floor block with a 2 level Banking Hall facility, Ultramodern Auditorium, a coffee lounge, a staff clubhouse and 2 canteens. There is also a wide ATM arena for personal banking transactions.

The Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Daniel Sackey, stated that Ecobank has been able to grow its business to become the largest bank in Ghana, due to the selfishness of hardworking staff and the support and confidence of its customers and other valued stakeholders. He also pointed out that the building underscores the bank’s commitment towards the Ghanaian market and the provision of best in class services to its numerous clients.

The Chairman of the Ecobank Ghana Board of Directors, Mr. Terrence Darko said that Ecobank on its part is making financial services convenient, reliable and accessible through digitization of banking processes.

Also addressing invited guests were the CEO of Ecobank Transitional Incorporated, Mr. Ade Ayeyemi, who observed that in today’s banking world, it is important to always come up with innovative ideas that would meet the needs of customers and revealed that is the motivation behind the construction of the new Ecobank head office complex.

The building was dedicated to God by the clergy led by Rev. Dr. Frimpong – Manso, The General Superintendent of The Assemblies of God Church.

The President of the Republic of Ghana, Akufo-Addo speaking during the key note address challenged banks in Ghana to complement the achievements of his government by reducing lending rates to the private sector and led the delegation to officially commission the building.
President Akufo-Addo said lending rates have remained stubbornly high irrespective of the fact that our fiscal deficit has reduced with inflation declining to 10.3 as at January 2018; growing improvement in our micro economy, a fall in the 91 day Treasury bill rate from 16.4% in 2016 to 13.4% as at today.

“Banking lending rates to the private sector has remained stubbornly high averaging between 31.7% and 29.3% within the same period. The gap between what is happening with the decline in inflation and the rates being charged by banks is a gap we have to bridge,” Akufo-Addo said.

Ecobank Ghana is a subsidiary of Ecobank Transitional Incorporated (ETI), a bank holding company which is currently present in over 36 countries across Africa, dealing in 20 currencies. Commencing operations in Ghana from February 1990, Ecobank Ghana has grown consistently over the years to become the biggest bank in Ghana and a well-recognized corporate brand in the Ghanaian banking industry.

The Bank which embarked on a strategic shift from a predominantly Wholesale Bank to a Universal Bank now has 67 branches and over 200 ATMs across the country.

Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM