Take keen interest in national development agenda – UMB MD challenges bankers

He stressed it was time they bring their know-how in the industry to bear on national issues and contribute to developmental agenda to propel the country to greater heights.

John Awuah believes it is time for bankers, institutions and people in the financial space to join in nation-building as it has been left for so long in the hands of politicians and government officials.

UMB, he said, has taken advantage of several government policies and has partnered in several fronts with government to ensure policies materialise for the good of the country and urged others in the field to also join the fray in the nation’s interest.

The UMB Managing Director emphasised that such initiatives and pro-activeness yields positive outcomes not only for individuals and the nation but also for the institutions as well.

“I wish to use this opportunity to also invite my colleague bankers to not just sit on the fence or sit on the sidelines but take keen and active interest in the delivery of national development. It is only when we are able to assist the environment to create growth that we as bankers and as market participants and practitioners can also benefit from the growth that is created as a result. This message I make without mincing words to my colleague bankers so we can come to the table and not sit on the fence and leave everything to the politicians and policymakers” John Awuah asserted.

Universal Merchant Bank’s Public-Private Partnership incubation center for start-ups, focus on SME banking to assist the about 90% of Ghanaian businesses within that category and funding support for several factories under the government’s flagship One District One Factory policy are some measures John Awuah pointed to as ways his outfit is contributing to the development of the nation.

John Awuah made these comments when he delivered an address at the launch of National Policy Summit scheduled for Kumasi from the 23rd to the 24th of July, 2018 at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

He noted such an initiative that provides a platform for stakeholders to deliberate and debate on policies is laudable.

Addressing the media at the launch, Deputy Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that the motive for moving the second edition of the Summit to Kumasi is to allow broader consultations and create a platform for everyone to contribute to nation development.

“As I mentioned last year we focused the two summits here in Accra, this year one of our objectives has been to move the summit out of Accra so that other parts of the countries will get a look and feel of it and make an input into the discussions that will take place. The 2017 Summit offered government the opportunity to get a lot of direct feedback from stakeholders and I can assure you that those points of feedback that were given were factored into the delivery of government’s policies and programmes and 2018 budget” he disclosed.