By Goodnews Buekor.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Standard Chartered Bank in the Gambia, Chuks Ugha, in his one-year anniversary, has expressed his intentions and plan of the bank to ensure future growth and their stay for good in the country.
Speaking to African Leadership Magazine in an exclusive interview session, he revealed that their plan is very simple. They are working with three pictures in mind, which is geared towards making it easier and faster to provide services and allow more access to those who would normally not have access.
“Our bank strategy is straightforward. We have three pictures under which we are going to align our future growth, and my plan here is aligned to accelerating net-zero, sustainability agenda and resetting globalization”, he disclosed.
Chuks intimated that the bank has a deep and rich history in the Gambia, as they have been operational for over 130 years. So, he sees this as a responsibility as the CEO and an opportunity to add value to the Gambia. Part of the idea is that since the majority of the population is youthful, their agenda is geared towards that population, and to help them properly harness and leverage opportunities, and address the financing need of the less empowered, the women in business and the disadvantaged people.
“We have specific programs, one of them is future makers, and is based on three basic tenets: education, employment and entrepreneurship. We train young people and provide soft skills that will make them employable, giving them opportunities to work as the bank’s staff or as vendors and suppliers. Chuks pointed out that there are also goals targeted to help young adolescent girls with sports facilities, financial training, social skills and the confidence they need to become productive in life” he said.
One of the proudest moments for him in the Gambia was during the Covid 19 pandemic when the bank set aside profitability as their primary goal for remaining in business and decided to be more humane. This is something he would want to be remembered for “perpetuating the same kind of humanness the bank has done over the years.”
Standard Charted PLC is a universal multinational banking and financial services company with operations in consumer, corporate and institutional banking and treasury services.
