GCB Bank targets 30% women in executive leadership by 2028 - Professor Alabi

Board Chairman of GCB Bank PLC, Professor Joshua Alabi, has reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to improving women’s representation in executive leadership, pledging to raise the number of women on its Executive Committee to at least 30 percent by 2028.

Speaking at the launch of Sheagles Soar, a new women’s leadership development initiative on October 7, 2025, Professor Alabi stressed that the programme is central to transforming leadership culture within the Bank and Ghana’s financial sector at large.

“At GCB Bank, we have drawn a clear programme of action to drive women’s inclusivity at the highest levels of our organisation. Our goal is to improve women’s representation on the Executive Committee by at least 30% by 2028. Initiatives like Sheagles Soar will be central to achieving this transformation,” he said.

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The Sheagles Soar initiative, described as groundbreaking, seeks to dismantle barriers, repair the “broken rung,” and create pathways for women to rise into leadership within the banking industry. Anchored on a 3Ps framework – Professional, Personal, and Partnerships – the programme offers holistic support to women at various stages of their leadership journey.

Managing Director of GCB Bank Plc, Farihan Alhassan, underscored the broader vision behind the initiative, noting that it was not about replacing men but creating an environment where leadership thrives collectively.

“It is not about replacing men with women but about forging a leadership culture where everyone thrives and contributes fully,” he said.

Alhassan continued, “This holistic program builds competence, confidence, and connectivity, equipping women to lead with authenticity, influence agendas, and leave a lasting legacy.”

Manager of HR Business Partnering, Peter Yao Bosrotsi, described Sheagles Soar as a demonstration of the Bank’s commitment to reshaping its leadership pipeline.

“Sheagles Soar is a sign of GCB's commitment to strengthening the leadership pipeline and creating equal opportunities for women to rise to the top. It is to reshape our culture to embrace inclusion, confidence, and influence,” he stated.

The programme will provide coaching circles, career development pathways, and allyship structures modeled after the UN’s HeForShe principle. It is structured to prepare women for leadership across three levels – supervisory, management, and executive – focusing on skills such as self-leadership, strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, vision-setting, and boardroom readiness.

The climax of the event saw the unveiling of Sheagles Soar, highlighted by a special video and fireworks display. A symbolic signing of the HeForShe Pledge Book by Professor Alabi further emphasised the role of male allyship in advancing inclusion.

Through Sheagles Soar, GCB Bank aims to cultivate a new generation of competent, confident, and connected women leaders who will influence not only the Bank but also families, communities, and industries.