Managing Director of Women’s World Banking Ghana (WWBG) Charlotte Baidoo has called for more women to be placed in management positions at banks in order to safeguard their financial health.
According to her women are less corrupt, better at managing funds, and will produce the best return on investments.
“Banks are better-off with women in management positions because we are very firm; and as mothers who know how to keep homes we know how to keep monies, protect investor’s interest and invest monies wisely,” she said, adding that “putting women at the helm of affairs will produce excellence, increment in profits, and solidify banks’ balance sheets.”
Mrs. Baidoo was speaking at the unveiling of an ultra-modern office of the financial institution at Tesano, Accra.
She also urged women to be prepared for opportunities that come their way so they will not be overlooked when there are vacancies. “Women have to equally take up the challenge and be prepared for opportunities when they come.
“I would encourage women to update themselves, and when the opportunity comes you can be given the chance to excel. If there is a vacancy at any management level and you have the requisite skills, qualification and experience, you will be easily promoted,” she added.
The opening of the new head office, which came off at a short and simple ceremony, saw the company’s board members, chaired by Keli Gadzekpo — current Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Group– and other financial industry players present.
Women’s World Banking Ghana, a savings and loans company, has about 80,000 active clients with more than 60 percent being women; and with a staff strength of over 200, about 65 percent of them are women.
Mrs. Baidoo added that WWBG has been at the forefront of serving the needs of women, and other entrepreneurs in the markets in which it operates.
“In terms of products and services, WWBG caters for the needs of the small entrepreneur, market woman, table-top trader as well as the Kayayei.
Through our door-to-door banking services we reach out to the banked and unbanked in all market centres, where we mop up their excess liquidity for safe-keeping toward a rainy day,” she added.
Board Chairman of WWBG, Keli Gadzekpo, explained that the hard work, dedication and sacrifice of the institution’s staff over the years has largely contributed to its continuous existence in the industry over the past 20 years.
“The structures and systems in place have been zealously guarded over all the years. Today, WWBG has become a household name when it comes to the delivery of credit and other innovative financial services,” he said.
Guest Speaker, Rev. Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah, urged all women to continue working hard and strive to become better citizens.
She urged the management and staff of WWBG to work harder to make the institution one of the biggest financial institutions in the country.
“Women face a lot of challenges on a daily basis which include access to finance their businesses, but institutions like WWBG are here to solve that problem.
I want all women to continue doing business with WWBG so that this institution will become bigger than we can imagine,” she added.
Dr. Nashiru Issahaku, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf said the decision by WWBG to acquire a new office complex reflects the fact that the business has expanded and continues to do so, and so there is need for a bigger space.
“Getting an office with classic ambience for the conduct of your business and attracting more clients is in the right direction,” he added.
He urged the company to continue practicing ethical banking even though the terrain in which it operates is not an easy one, as competition in the sector has become intense.
“To survive and sustain the operation of this institution requires agility and resilience in your strategies and management skills.”
Source: B&FT Online