Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC has entered into a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Non-Disclosure Agreement with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Limited (SLCB), aimed at providing technical support, strengthening banking capabilities and accelerating financial sector development in Sierra Leone and beyond.
The formal signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC (RBGH) at Ridge in Accra and was attended by key leadership of both institutions, including the Board Chairman of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, Mr. Jonathan Prince Cann, and the Board Chairman of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Mr. Nyake I. Amara.
Also present were the Managing Directors of the two institutions, Dr. Benjamin Dzoboku and Mr. Yusufu Abdul Silla, respectively, and Senior Management of the two institutions.
This strategic partnership marks yet another significant step forward in Republic Bank’s mission to support peer African institutions through capacity building, operational guidance, and product innovation.
The agreement will see Republic Bank provide technical assistance to SLCB in areas including mortgage financing, credit card services, corporate and institutional banking, trade financing, investment banking, custody and trust services, and asset management.
In his remarks, Mr. Jonathan Prince Cann noted that “this partnership is a timely response to the growing need for African banks to collaborate more deliberately in shaping a resilient, inclusive financial future for the continent.
“The knowledge we share today will have a ripple effect on generations to come, and on behalf of the RBGH Board, we are poised and committed to lead this agenda of capacity building.”
The Board Chairman of SLCB, Mr. Nyake I. Amara, reinforced this sentiment, expressing confidence in the long-term impact of the partnership: “This alliance with Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC is rooted in shared purpose and mutual benefit. Our staff, our customers, and our country will gain significantly from the transfer of technical knowledge, proven expertise, and collaborative innovation, opening more doors for both institutions.”
Managing Director of SLCB, Mr. Abdulai Yusufu Silla, added that: “This partnership opens new doors for SLCB to modernize our offerings, enrich the skills of our people, and deliver world class services to our customers not just in Sierra Leone but in West Africa and Africa as a whole.
We have not been able to attract huge funds to develop the country, because we didn’t have the capacity and skills, so this partnership is a bold step toward our transformation journey.” Dr. Benjamin Dzoboku, Managing Director of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, referenced the Bank’s successful technical support engagement with the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), noting that: “When African banks share expertise, the outcome is institutional transformation and customer empowerment. We believe that this partnership with SLCB will yield similar, if not greater results, enhancing financial access and stability not only in Sierra Leone but across the region.”
“The signing of this MOU was borne from a place of trust and a corporate desire to have a robust institution whose operations meet global standards. It affirms the growing role of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC as a technical support hub within the Republic Financial Holdings Limited Group, and underlines its commitment to regional integration and leadership in banking innovation,” Dr. Dzoboku added.
Among those present at the signing ceremony were Mr. Isaac T. Shittu, Director of Finance, and Alimu Barrie Esq, Company Secretary of SLCB; Mr. Kofi Agyenim Boateng; and Mr. Njack Kane, CEO of Intervalle Geneve. Representing Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC were Mr. Joseph L. Ashong, General Manager, Retail and Commercial Banking; Mr. Frank Lawoe, Chief Risk Officer; Mr. Jacob Hobenu, Head, Corporate Banking; Mrs. Akua Oduraa Botchway, Company Secretary; Mr. Dan Adjetey Mohenu, Head, Mortgage Banking; and Mrs. Genevieve Aboney, Manager, Marketing and Communications.
