Elsie Addo Awadzi (middle) is joined by Abena Osei Poku and another official to turn the soil for construction works to begin
ABSA BANK Ghana recently cut the sod off the Independence Avenue in Accra close to the Ako-Adjei Interchange for construction works to begin on its new head office project.
Central Bank Governor Dr. Ernest Addison was happy that finally, after 104-years of operating its head office on the Accra High Street, Absa was now preparing to relocate. “It is long overdue,” he said.
Managing Director, Abena Osei-Poku, underlining the reasoning behind the decision, said “The time is right for us to chart a new direction in our relationship with Ghana, which will hopefully last beyond another hundred years. The dynamism of the global workplace makes it difficult for our old head office at high street to rhyme with the evolving digital ecosystem. Our new building will be designed with only the latest trends of the digital workplace and innovation for the benefit of our employees, customers and stakeholders.”
Second Deputy Governor, Elsie Addo-Awadzi, who took the stage in place of the Governor during the event, noted, “Absa remains a very important player in the banking sector. It has demonstrated leadership over the years, and was even the first to meet the minimum capital requirement set by the Central Bank in 2018. I am glad they have committed to take issues of environmental sustainability, reduction in carbon footprints and a compliance with the sustainable banking principles, into consideration when the construction begins.”
“Our model for this new building revolves around four key themes – our people, customers, resilience and sustainability. No matter how you dice it, we have covered every aspect in making this new building a reflection of the future of banking. Energy conservation, reduction in waste, digital innovation and creativity, are integral in this construction as we aim towards completion in the next 18-months. The timing is right because we have the ability to finance without any repercussions on our business or shareholders’ expectations” said Michael Mensah-Baah, Chief Operating Officer at Absa Bank.
The Absa brand has made tremendous strides since its official launch in Ghana some 19 months ago.
A business desk report