At the 2025 Kwahu Business Forum in Mpraeso, the Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, Farihan Alhassan, delivered a message of support for Ghana’s industrial transformation. In a keynote address to entrepreneurs and industry leaders, he reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to financing agribusiness, manufacturing, and export-oriented enterprises, describing them as the pillars of Ghana’s economic recovery.
“GCB is very proud to be at the forefront of this economic recovery, we intend to support businesses like yours to transition from mere importation to local production. That, in our view, is the best way to get ourselves out of where we are today.” said Alhassan.
Supporting the Full Agricultural Value Chain
Alhassan highlighted a significant policy shift within GCB Bank: a renewed focus on primary agriculture, a segment many banks have long considered too risky. He emphasized that supporting farming at its earliest stages is essential to developing agri-processing and building a sustainable value chain.
“Never again would you come to GCB and be told we cannot support your business because it is primary agriculture, we are committed to supporting agriculture from seed to export.” he stated.
Bridging the Long-Term Financing Gap
Recognizing the challenges businesses face in accessing capital for industrial development, Alhassan acknowledged the shortage of long-term financing in Ghana’s banking sector. He disclosed that GCB is actively engaging with institutions like the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) and other development finance institutions (DFIs) to unlock project financing options.
“It should not be possible for us to talk about industrialization if banks are not prepared to support the building of factories. We’re changing that,” he assured.
Facilitating Export Growth Amid Global Trade Shifts
GCB’s strategy also includes supporting Ghanaian businesses to access international markets, especially as global supply chains shift due to geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. Alhassan identified product quality standards as a critical barrier to export success and announced ongoing collaborations with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority and plans to work with the Free Zones Authority.
“The standards we produce in Ghana must meet those of the global market GCB Bank is working on setting up the right protocols to make Ghana’s goods export-ready.”
Wrapping up, Alhassan reaffirmed GCB’s historic role and future commitment to Ghanaian enterprises.
“This bank has been with you for 70 years. We are not going anywhere. We will stand with businesses through good times and bad not only to grow with the economy but to help fix it.” He assured.
His remarks were met with strong support from attendees, many of whom welcomed the bank’s focus on practical financing tools and market access initiatives to spur Ghana’s private sector-led development.
GCB’s forward-looking approach, linking local production, financing, and global markets, signals a bold and strategic alignment with the nation’s long-term economic ambitions.
