Government’s Support For Private Sector Unwavering – President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of the private sector in Ghana as the surest way of creating sustainable jobs for the citizenry.
At a meeting with the newly appointed managing director of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Chris Ofikulu, when he paid a courtesy call on him to introduce himself to him, today 19 May 2022, at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said the success of both indigenous and foreign private sector organizations operating in Ghana, remains a top priority for his government.
President Akufo-Addo commended the UBA for choosing to operate in Ghana and for all the support it is offering to the Ghanaian economy. According to President Akufo-Addo, his administration is satisfied with the performance of UBA in Ghana.
“The work that you are doing in Ghana is very positive”. “On the part of the government, we are here to support the private sector, the indigenous, as well as foreign” President Akufo-Addo, said.
“If ever there are any problems of regulatory or administrative nature that are difficult for you, the government is here to support to see how they can be fairly and equitably resolved” the President added.
*”Greater strides”*
The UBA managing director and CEO, Chris Ofikulu, in his remarks noted that the bank is delighted about its strong and growing footing in Ghana and it looks forward to greater strides in the Ghanaian banking system.
“We are very pro-Ghana as a bank and it is good to let the President know that of our 768 staff, 99.7% are Ghanaians. It is only 5 who are are other nationals” Chris Ofikulu said.
E-Levy / YouStart initiative
On the newly introduced electronic levy tax (E-levy), and the yet to be launched YouStart initiative of the government, the UBA CEO said the bank is excited to be part of the infrastructure put in place for collecting the E-levy as well as to serve as an anchor institution for the YouStart programme.
“One of your programmes which is what you are coming up with to support the development of the youth which is the YouStart, we are putting our resources to support you,” Chris Ofikulu said.
“Infact, we have also indicated that we want to be one of the anchors for that programme as a way of supporting the government of Ghana” he added.
*Profile of the UBA MD/CEO*
Chris, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of UBA Ghana, before assuming office as MD/CEO for UBA Ghana, was the UBA Group’s Directorate Head, Apapa 1 (Corporate), responsible for articulating & deploying Business Development Strategies and Critical Resources towards delivering optimal values for the Bank.
He is a Senior Executive of the Bank with over 28 years of experience in Business Development which cuts across major Business Geographies in Nigeria and Markets.
Before joining UBA Group, Chris had worked in one of the Top Commercial Banks in Nigeria where he served in various capacities including Directorate Head in charge of the South Businesses and subsequently the Directorate Head, Lagos and West Businesses. He was also the pioneer Managing Director of Diamond Pension Fund Custodian Limited.
Chris holds a B.Sc. (First Class) Degree in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Benin, Benin-City and an MBA (Marketing) from the University of Lagos. He is also an Alumnus of the following prestigious Business Schools: The Wharton Business School, Philadelphia; IESE Business School, Barcelona and Lagos Business School.
He equally attended Leadership and Corporate Governance Training in the Henley Business School, University of Reading, the U.K. and Advanced Company Direction Programme, Institute of Directors, London.
Wilberforce Asare