“The only great work is to love what you do”. Steve Jobbs
Dear readers, it is good to be back. I am still in a joyous mood as I showcase Hilda Agyapong Adjei, the overall best inductee at the recently held 16th Induction and Graduation Ceremony of Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana.
I am sure you must be wondering why I am devoting a whole article to her. As you may have noticed over the past eleven years of my writings, I don’t concentrate only on risk issues. Where I come across any positive thing in the services industry, of which banking is part, I appreciate it. Life is all about risk and how we manage it includes growing seeds or fruits of love, joy, peace, hard work and offering excellent service.
Hilda Agyapong Adjei made our day at the induction ceremony as she climbed the podium to accept her prize and give her valedictory speech. There was a long standing ovation and an emotional connection with her because she was heavily pregnant! How possible? Yes, she showed us all that in whatever circumstance you find yourself, with God, determination and hard work, you can make it!
I have decided to publish her valedictory speech to people to motivate everyone who desires to achieve his or her ultimate goal in life, especially to those who want to achieve professional status in their occupation.
“Distinguished Governing Council Members, Management Team of Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana, Invited Guests, Our Able Lecturers, The Special Guest of Honour, Mr James Bruce – ED, Wholesale Banking ACESSBANK (GH) PLC, Families, Friends, and Fellow Inductees and Graduands, All other Protocols Duly Observed;
It is a great honour to deliver this valedictory speech on behalf of the Inductee class of the 16th Induction and Graduation Ceremony of Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Almighty God, YAHWEH, for His guidance and blessings. He has brought us far, and to Him be all the glory, honour, and praise.
Secondly, I extend my heartfelt thanks to my husband, Apostle Emmanuel Akwasi Adjei, for his unwavering support, encouragement, and shared sleepless nights as I prepared for my exams. To my family and friends who bore my absence for the past one and a half years, thank you for your understanding and sacrifices. I love and appreciate you all.
To the management of Access Bank and my immediate supervisors, I am deeply grateful for the sponsorship and moral support you extended, motivating my colleagues and I to pursue this programme.
To our dedicated lecturers (especially those who taught me — Mr. Kwame Abbey; Mr. Richard Sekyere; Nana Turkson, Mr. Eric Taylor, Mr. Samudeen, Mr. John Adamah, Rev. Omare, Mr. Essien and Mr. Gilbert Obimpeh, thank you for your patience, insights, and tireless efforts in guiding us. Your willingness to answer questions, even beyond class hours, has been invaluable. Mr. Sekyere, your encouragement during my final weeks of exams, amidst the challenges of pregnancy and hospitalization, kept me going. Thank you. You have all played a significant role in our success.
A special mention goes to Dr. Mrs. Christine Avortri. Your unmatched encouragement throughout the programme and your reassuring presence at every exam sitting have been a source of strength. Every academic institution needs a leader like you.
To my course mates and study groups, thank you for your contributions and the practical experiences we shared. Ayekoo to us all for this remarkable achievement.
My journey with CIB began in March 2021 when I registered for the Associate Member Programme with the assistance of Mary Owusu (Ama). Although I faced setbacks that delayed my initial progress, I returned in June 2023, motivated by Mary’s encouragement. With determination, I completed Levels 3 and 4 within a year and half, achieving distinctions in some challenging papers. Thank you, Mary and Rosemary, for your unwavering support. We made it!
This program has been a transformative experience, enlightening me in ways I could never have imagined. Despite my 18 years in the banking sector, the knowledge and skills I have gained have refined my understanding of banking laws, regulations, and best practices. The programme has also introduced me to emerging trends in governance and sustainability which are critical for the future of our profession.
One pivotal moment was my decision to choose the new syllabus for the level 4 course, “Strategic Leadership in Financial Services,” despite skepticism from others. This comprehensive course, encompassing leadership, strategy, governance, ethics, risk management, and sustainability, challenged me to think critically and practically. The experience of working through group assignments, despite dissenting opinions and challenges, reinforced the value of collaboration and resilience.
This journey would not have been as enriching without the opportunity to learn alongside bankers and non-bankers from diverse institutions. The practical case studies and real-world scenarios provided by our lecturers have equipped us to handle complex situations in the banking sector effectively.
To other financial institutions, I urge you to invest in your staff by supporting them to pursue programmes at Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana. This initiative will enhance professionalism and reduce errors, fines, and sanctions in the industry.
In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this journey. Let us continue to strive for excellence in our field, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for our profession.
Thank you, and may God richly bless us all. Shalom!!!”
There were special areas in her speech, indicating her gratefulness to all who contributed to her success, that touched me:
- Her first dedication was to God.
- Her dear faithful husband…Can you imagine your heavily pregnant wife burning the midnight candle, being hospitalized, writing her last paper in October, and finally being awarded the ultimate prize in December!!! You can imagine his pride as he walked her down the stairs and held her hand, as she waved to the smiling audience back to her seat
- Her employers, Access Bank and its Management, as well as her supervisors. She made them proud.
- The various staff of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, (CIB), who supported and encouraged her since her journey started in 2021.
- Her Lecturers at the CIB.
- Her colleagues and course mates
Her final words of advice went to all Financial Institutions to support their staff in acquiring certification to be Chartered Bankers. Since banking is very dynamic with new trends regularly challenging the industry, her eighteen years experience was not enough to make her totally professional. Yes, it should be a lifelong learning for everyone. Pursuance of the ACIB always enhances professionalism and reduce errors, fines, and sanctions in the industry.
Graduation seasons.
It is a magical moment not just for an individual or a class, but rather for a family and a community, and It is a time of good and happy – and a moment to pause and reflect on a journey well done – regardless of what the journey, the length, or what the graduation ceremony recognizes, graduation represents a finite marker in a world that is always moving. It is a marker and a milestone of learning, accomplishment, and progress. Not surprisingly, I don’t view it as an ending, but rather a beautiful new beginning. For Chartered Bankers, it is the beginning of a professional journey.
Food for Thought
I congratulate all colleagues who graduated with her. For those out there who are in the process, believe in yourself and you definitely will make it. The valedictory speech is a message for all of us. We must reprioritize the ability to learn and willingness to be wrong and even fail. We must remember that regardless of when we “graduated,” we are always learning and growing. And we must remind ourselves, that no matter when we graduated our opportunity to excel is only limited by our willingness to challenge ourselves and openness to take chances in order to grow. Many people have passed their resumes out on the streets, had been fired multiple times, forgot to believe in themselves, graduated at the bottom of their classes (and went on to great life success), and shared about their own experiences growing up. We have our own stories. Embrace them. Share them. And, know that likely there is someone on the other side – who you validate and make feel good along the way.
For all who graduated, congratulations. For the rest of us, let’s look for the moments to grow, to graduate to our next level, and to celebrate our accomplishments. And, if you get the honour to share your story, tell all the gory details! After all, they are yours.
Before I sign off, here are a few graduation quotes:
- “Your life is your adventure. And the adventure ahead of you is a journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.” —Kerry Washington
- “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela
- “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” —Nora Ephron
- “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alberta Quarcoopome is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, and CEO of ALKAN Business Consult Ltd. She is the Author of Three books: “The 21st Century Bank Teller: A Strategic Partner” and “My Front Desk Experience: A Young Banker’s Story” and “The Modern Branch Manager’s Companion”. She uses her experience and practical case studies, training young bankers in operational risk management, sales, customer service, banking operations and fraud.
CONTACT
Website www.alkanbiz.com
Email:alberta@alkanbiz.com or [email protected]
Tel: +233-0244333051/+233-0244611343
